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THE BABE
ARRIVES ... July 20, 1914 ... The Red Sox won the last game in the series with the Detroit Tigers, by a score of 3 to 2, in 16 innings at Fenway Park. Fritz Coumbe shut out the visitors for eight innings, allowing them only six hits. Then an error by Everett Scott, followed by a two base hit from Sam Crawford, and an error by Coumbe himself, nullified all his hard work, as these lapses allowed Hughie Jenning's team to tie the score in the ninth inning, and forced the young pitcher to give way to Dutch Leonard. For the next eight innings, Dutch gave a wonderful demonstration of clever pitching. With a twisted ankle, he pitched no-hit ball, struck out nine men, and seemed he could continue on indefinitely. In fact, it looked like he just might have to do just that. The Red Sox had men in scoring position many times during those eight innings, but did not have the punch to finish the job, until with the bases full, in the 16th inning, and one out, Tris Speaker delivered the goods with a hit to left field. It was a heart-rending game since the Boston boys seem to have it clinched from the fifth inning until the break came against them in the ninth, and then with the numerous chances they had to land it and failed, it seemed that they could not win. As long as Dutch was going the way he was, and had perfect support, there was little chance that it would be the Tigers could win it. Bill Carrigan's quick shift on pitchers undoubtedly save the day for the Red Sox, for while Coumbe pitched winning ball for eight innings, the error behind him and the one he made himself, which resulted as such a disaster, got him upset, and it was not much chance of his being able to finish. Harry Hooper did some grand work, both in the field and at bat. He covered a lot of ground, made some fine plays and turned in three singles and a triple in eight times at bat. Tris Speaker made seven putouts and made a wonderful throw to the plate from deep center, getting Donie Bush. He clouted the ball for three singles and a double in his seven chances, as well as stealing two bases. Hughie Jennings used four pitchers. Hooks Dauss carried the game for five innings, when he gave way for a pinch-hitter. Marc Hall then came in and after two Innings and gave way to George Moriarty, who pinch hit for him. Then it was up to Alex Main and worked five innings but was injured when he was caught napping off first base and had to be assisted to the locker room with a badly sprained ankle. Ross Reynolds finished up the game. The Red Sox started the scoring in the fourth inning, when Dick Hoblitzell came to the plate with just one out. He drew a base on balls, stole second, and scored the first run of the game on a single to right by Steve Yerkes. In the next inning, with one out, Everett Scott doubled and scored on a single to center by Speaker. Tris stole second, but was stranded when Duffy Lewis and Larry Gardner ended the inning. The Red Sox were never in danger except once. Donie Bush got a hit in the third inning, after which Coumbe was charged with a balk. Purtell followed with a single to center and Bush tried to score, but was caught at the plate on a great throw by Speaker and a fine play by Hick Cady. Except for Purtell's double in the sixth inning and a single by Bobby Veach in the seventh inning, the Tigers were retired in order until the ninth.
Harry Heilmann was the first man up and hit an easy grounder to Scott, whose throw dragged Hoblitzell off the bag. Sam Crawford doubled along the right field foul line to score Heilmann with the first Tiger run. Coumbe became noticeably upset and Veach laid down a bunt in an attempt to sacrifice, but Coumbe threw high to first and the ball glanced off Hoblitzell's glove. Veach unintentionally gave the ball a boot as he passed the bag, making it easy for Crawford to get home and tie the score. Bill Carrigan then called on Dutch Leonard from the left-field bullpen where he was warming up. With a man on first and none out, Dutch retired the next three batters. The Red Sox had chances to score in the 12th and 13th innings but came up empty. Then the fireworks went off in the 16th. With one out Carrigan drew a pass, but was forced out at second, with the second out of the inning, by Dutch. Harry Hooper singled to center and Dutch held up at second. Everett Scott took first when he was hit on the wrist by a pitched ball to fill the bases. Tris Speaker came up and rifled a shot to left field, bringing Leonard in with the winning walk-off run. |
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