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GUY MORTON |
THE LAST ONE FOR 86 YEARS
The Indians knock the Sox out of first place
June 8, 1918 ...
Winding up a brilliant pitching performance by striking Babe Ruth, in the final inning, Guy Morton today registered his second victory of the year over the Red Sox at Dunn field, winning 3 to 1. The defeat put the Sox in second place, as the Yankees took the lead by defeating St. Louis.
The victory was at the expense of Carl Mays, who prior to today, had beat the Indians in thirteen out of the last fifteen starts. Mays held the Indians to five hits, which was two less than Morton gave the Red Sox. He lost his game when the Indians resorted
to bunts following a pair of base hits in the fourth inning. A double, a single, a safe bunt, and another bunt that was kicked away by Stuffy McInnis, and a sacrifice fly, gave the Indians all their runs in that inning.
Guy Morton's support also helped. In four of the first five innings, Morton's colleagues delivered doubleplays that retired the side. In three instances, the Red Sox could not help being disposed of, but there was one that was the result of poor base running by Carl
Mays. When he was on the way back to third after Dave Shean's tap to Joe Evans, he absentmindedly strayed off the base and allowed himself to be tagged out.
Morton was practically invincible after the third inning. Prior to that time he had allowed seven hits with doubleplays saving him a lot of trouble. But during the rest of the contest only four of the Red Sox made first base, two on passes and two on singles.
Despite his brilliant work, fans worried in the ninth inning when, with two out, Amos Strunk walked, thus giving Babe Ruth a chance to tie the score. It was significant that few persons left their seats. They knew Ruth was dangerous, and they decided to wait a few
minutes. Morton was nervous. He shot in three that were wide of the plate and the fans looked for him to deliberately throw the next one wide and walk Ruth. Morton then whizzed in a couple that were strikes, with Babe fouling off three. The next was over and low. Ruth swung and
missed, but the ball had so much on it, that catcher Pinch Thomas let it slip from his glove, picking it up in time, however, to get Ruth at first. |
