Brownies and Tribe split

Game 1

Cleveland 0 – St. Louis 1

Mel Harder vs. Sig (Jack) Jakucki

Sig has arguably been the Brownies best pitcher all season. He and Harder hooked up in quite a pitcher’s duel. Harder, after getting out of bases loaded situations in the first 3 innings, settled down and kept the Brownies at bay. Until the 7th inning that is when his defense let him down.

With 2 outs, Mark Christman hit a bloop single to center. Manager Keller brought in ace reliever Joe Heving. Gene Moore missed the hit and run sign but Christman bails him out with his first stolen base of the year. Moore then hit what looked like an inning ending grounder to Keltner at 3rd but Ken’s through was low and Christman scampered home with the only run of the game. Sig Jakucki went the distance allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks.

Game 2

Cleveland 3 – St. Louis 4

Jim Bagby vs. Jack Kramer

Another close hard fought game. Cleveland led 3-1 after 5 innings. St. Louis’ sometimes anemic offense finally started scoring some runs. Single runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th inning allowed the Brownie fans to go home happy. Again, it was an unearned run that proved to be the difference. Vern Stephens led off the 8th with a walk. George McQuinn, who earlier had hit a massive home run, dropped down a bunt (just goes to show you the versatility of the war year’s player). Buddy Rosar got a little excited and threw the ball into center trying to get the lead runner. Chet Laabs singled to load the bases with no outs. Mike Chartak hit into a DP, but Stephens scored from 3rd with the winning run. Sam Zoldak closes it out for the save and St. Louis has taken the first 2 games of this big series with the Tribe.

Game 3

Cleveland 6 – St. Louis 1

Al Smith vs. Nels (Harry – sorry about that) Potter

This one was close until the Indians pushed across 4 runs in the final two innings. Al Smith went the distance allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks. Cleveland held a slim 2-1 lead heading into the 8th. With 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, Lou Boudreau and Ray Mack hit back to back singles to plate 2 runs. With the bases loaded in the 9th, Keltner hit a sacrifice fly for one and Jeff Heath grounded a single between 3rd and short for another. Smith had all the cushion he would need and closed out the game with a strong 9th inning.

Game 4

Cleveland 9 – St. Louis 7

Allie Reynolds vs. Bob Muncrief

Cleveland scored 5 runs in the 3rd inning to take a 6-1 lead. St. Louis countered with 3 in the 5th to cut the margin to 2 but the Tribe bounced right back with 3 of their own in the 6th to push the lead back to 5. St. Louis added 3 more in their half of the 7th to cut the lead once more to 2. Joe Heving came on to pitch the 9th an earned his 3rd save (not really sure they were called saves back then). Roy Cullenbine, who was a thorn is the Brownies side all series long, was named MVP going 4-5. Keltner added 3 RBIs while Capt. Lou Boudreau added 2 of his own.

Both teams end up where they started. Both are now 16-16 with 8 games left in the season. They will face each in Cleveland in the final series of the season with most likely a playoff spot on the line.

--submitted by Ron Burnette--