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WHITEY PLATT |
BOSTON RED SOX ...
THE
CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 3
A
SUBWAY SERIES DISAPPEARS ...
The Browns beat the Sox on a walk off
August 4, 1948
... Whitey Platt's line drive single to left
climaxed a two run ninth, that enabled the St. Louis Browns to come
from behind and edge the Red Sox, 9 to 8, tonight at Sportsman's Park
before only 5000 fans in one of the weirdest games of the year. As
result of the setback, that saw 13 runs cross the plate in the first
inning, the Sox dropped back down to fourth place in the hectic
struggle for the American League pennant. The game started out like
a softball game, as the Red Sox racked up six runs in their half of the first
inning, on six hits and three base on balls against starting pitcher Blackie
Schwamb, and his successor Al Widmar. The Browns roared back in their half for
seven runs on eight hits and one walk, chasing Mel Parnell before Ellis Kinder
could put out the fire.
But Kinder and Ned Garver, the third Browns pitcher, who entered the game in
the second inning, then hooked up for an airtight duel. The Sox got a run off
Garver in the second inning to tie the game at 7-7, and that's the way it stayed
until the sixth inning. A crazy hop ground ball by Ted Williams that caromed
into right field for a single, enabled Johnny Pesky, who had opened the inning
with a double to score the run that put the Sox out in front 8 to 7.
Kinder rolled along smoothly into the ninth-inning, allowing no runs in only
five scattered hits, then Paul Lehner, who was pinch hitting for Eddie
Pellagrini, opened with a single back through the box that almost took his head
off. Lehner was sacrificed to second and after Bob Dillinger hit a fly ball out
to Dom DiMaggio, Kinder worked carefully to Al Zarilla, who eventually drew a
walk. Gerry Priddy, who would already collected three hits, then banged out the
first serve he saw into right field to tie up the game.
That brought up Platt, who was hitless in four trips. He hadn't played for a
few weeks after injuring his right thumb and belted the first pitch he saw
between Pesky and Stephens, sending Zarilla home for the walkoff winning run.
The Red Sox trail the Indians, the Athletics and the Yankees by a half game.
They are four percentage points behind 3rd place, Philadelphia. |
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