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BOSTON BRAVES
...
SPAHN & SAIN and PRAY FOR RAIN ...
The Braves
start out
with a win in Pittsburgh
June 2, 1948 ... With
Johnny Sain holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to three scattered hits, and
Jeff Heath and Earl Torgeson furnishing the vital power, the Braves
launched their second road trip with a 5 to 1 win over the Pirates.
Pittsburgh had little Vic Lombardi on the mound in front of 25,710
fans. It was manager Bill Meyers' belief that Billy Southworth would
keep Jeff Heath and Earl Torgeson out of the lineup. He was not only
surprised but shocked in the sixth inning, as Heath's double and
Torgeson single, accounted for the first runs of the game. For five
innings, Lombardi had matched Johnny Sain. The Pirates lefty was lucky to be on
even terms as long as he was. In the sixth inning a lucky chance shifted for the
Braves and they were able to ice the decision. Sain pitched his best game of the
year. He had a two-hit shutout entering the ninth-inning, but it was shattered
by one terrific swing by Ralph Kiner, who last a 3-2 pitch over the scoreboard
in left for his 12th home run. It was John's fourth victory in a row on foreign
soil. He has yet to win a game at Braves Field.
The first hit off Sain was a double by Danny Murtaugh to open the fifth, but
he perished on second base. Sain walked three and fanned five.
The luck the Braves have on the road was out in full force. They came through
to an easy win despite a triple play by the Pirates in the eighth. Torgeson was
on second and Phil Masi was on first when Alvin Dark's fouled off two bunt
attempts. Then a hit-and-run play was called and the Boston base runners were
off quickly as Dark popped the ball off to Ed Stevens at first base. He dashed
to the bag to double up Masi and fired the ball to Stan Rojek to triple up
Torgeson.
Bob Elliott singled to open the sixth inning. He took third as Heath crossed
up the Pirates by lashing a double down the left-field line. Then Torgeson
knocked out a single over second to produce two runs. He took second as Masi
grounded out and made a clean steal of third. Alvin Dark lined one out to Dixie
Walker in right and Torgy was able to score the third run.
The Braves final two runs came the ninth-inning against Hal Gregg. After
Stanky grounded out, Jim Russell doubled a line drive off Danny Murtaugh's glove
into short right to score the final two runs.
Jeff Heath helped Sain out in the fifth inning when he personally put out the
Pirates. He made a brilliant running catch of Lombardi's line drive down the
left-field line with Danny Murtaugh to third.
The Braves have won 10 out of their 15 away games and are now in fourth place
one game behind the Pirates. |
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