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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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FENWAY'S FIRST TEAM May 21, 1912 ... The Red Sox continued winning by defeating Cleveland 3 to 1 and aided by the Highlander’s victory over the White Sox cut their lead to four games in the American League standings. The Cleveland team, under the management of Harry Davis, made its 1912 debut to the Boston crowd. They were beaten by the Red Sox by a 3 to 1 score. Cleveland presented their great left-handed pitcher, Vean Gregg and his work was superb. Manager Jake Stahl decided to bring up Buck O'Brien, and as a result one of the finest pitching duels of the season ensued, with O'Brien showing the way with fine control, practically duplicating the grant performance of Joe Wood the day before. There was one man down in the seventh, before the hard-hitting Cleveland team was able to turn in a hit, and only three hits were made off Buck all day. O'Brien was given great support by Heinie Wagner, Larry Gardner, Hugh Bradley, Duffy Lewis and Tris Speaker, turning in sensational fielding stunts. Wagner made a great one-handed running pickup and clever assist that was nothing short of phenomenal. O'Brien was never lost for speed, curves, and the strategy that mystified the visiting batters. He closed the game with a dash that pronounced that the Brockton boy is really a great pitcher. So effectively was the pitching of O'Brien, that manager Davis and his players asked the umpires to examine the ball, claiming that the Red Sox pitcher was trying to work in some foreign substance to make the ball break so much. The trouble actually was with the great pitching of O'Brien and the fast fielding of the team behind him. Larry Gardner played a remarkable game at third. In fact the Red Sox went through the game with a brand of fielding that was exhilarating. The day was cold and the game was playing very quick order, without any unnecessary arguing, the visitors continuing their policy of playing baseball in a clean and sportsmanlike manner. Harry Hooper opened the Red Sox half of the first inning with a pass and then stole second. After Steve Yerkes struck out, Speaker hit a grounder that Ivy Olson fumbled. Duffy Lewis then came across with a line double to the bank in left, to score the two baserunners. The next two men went out at first and Cleveland had another comeback effort on their hands. With two down in the second inning, Roger Peckinpaugh drew a pass, only to see O'Brien throw the next man out at first. The Red Sox went down in order in their half of the second and third. The Sox scored their third and last run in the fourth inning. Gardner singled and went to third on Hugh Bradley's single to right. Wagner forced Bradley and then Nunamaker forced Wagner at second, allowing Gardner to score and making it 3 to 0. With two down in the sixth inning, Gregg hit a fast grounder close to the bag at second. Wagner picked up the ball with his left hand on the dead run and got him at first for a superb running play. Finally in the seventh, Cleveland scored their only run. Ted Easterly opened with a fast grounder that Gardner played spectacularly and threw him out at first. Buddy Ryan singled and Neil Ball was thrown out by O'Brien. Peckinpaugh came up and singled to left and Cleveland's only run crossed the plate. There was nothing to the game after that point that had O'Brien on edge. It was a great win and a great pitching performance. |
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