GAME 1
Seats vs Walters
Dodgers 1, Reds 0
All Tom Seats needed was 1 unearned run to post his 2nd shutout of the season. In the second inning Dodgers firstbaseman Augie Galan worked out a walk and attempted a steal of 2nd. Red catcher Mueller airmailed his throw to second into centerfield, which allowed Galan to advance to third. Goody Rosen lifted a medium length fly ball to right that allowed Galan to tag up and score what would become the winning run. Mueller's error cost batterymate Bucky Walters (1-7, 4.10) the game. Dodger lefty Seats allowed just 5 hits and fanned 2 in a complete game effort. Walters, minus the unearned run, was better (3 hits and 5 k's), but his team could not score for him once again.
GAME 2
Gregg vs Heusser
Reds 3, Dodgers 2
Brooklyn scratched out solo runs in the 5th and 7th innings to tie the game at 2-2 and eventually force extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th Dodger reliever Clyde King allowed a leadoff single to Clay, who stole second and was bunted over to third. Since the bunt seemed to be working well the Reds executed a perfect squeeze play by reliever Harry Gumbert to score Clay and win the game 3-2. Gumbert was outstanding on the hill, tossing 3 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win.
GAME 3
Lombardi vs Shoun
Dodgers 7, Reds 4
The curse of Vic Lombardi has been lifted (at least temporarily). After going 0-5 to start the season Brooklyn's embattled lefty finally got off the schneid. In fairness to our readers, we have to point out that Lombardi did almost every thing in his powers to lose this game. After being staked to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first Lombardi found a way to give it back. When Cincy scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the 4th via a single from the pitcher fans back in the Borough of churches were heard muttering, "He we go again, dis bum shoulda been drafted". In the top of the 6th the Dodgers broke out with another 3 run rally to take the lead. RBI doubles by Augie Galan and pinch hitter Mickey Owen sandwiched and RBI single by Goody Rosen. With a two run lead in tow the Dodgers immediately went to the pen and relieved Lombardi of his pitching duties to ensure that he could not lose the game. Whether this move was made to help his confidence or out of fear is uncertain. What we do know is that it worked out in the end. Clyde King pitched 3 scoreless innings then handed it over to Cy Buker, who has blown more chances for victory than the the French underground has blown up bridges. Buker started off the 9th by walking the first 2 batters, but finally righted his ship and got the final 3 outs.
GAME 4
Branca vs de la Cruz
Reds 4, Dodgers 3
Ralph Branca gave up an unexpected homer to his opposing number, Tommy de la Cruz, which would eventually be the margin for victory for the Reds. Branca, a young fireballer, put one right down the middle that Cruz launched into the left field pavilion. The Dodgers threatened to tie it up in the 9th as reliever Jim Konstanty began to falter. Mike Sandlock's RBI single scored Dixie Walker to make it a 1 run game, but "Big" Ed Stevens wound up being gunned down by Red left fielder Tipton as he tried to score from second. This would turn out to be the key play of the game, because the Dodgers now had runners on the corners with 2 outs. Konstanty was removed from the bump and Malloy was brought in to get the final out. The Dodgers countered by putting player-manager Leo Durocher in to pinch hit for shortstop Eddie Basinski. Leo the Lip has a lot to say about a lot of topics, but today he decided to let his geriatric bat do the talking for himself and his team. Before he could blink an eye, Brooklyn's folically challenged manager found himself deep in an 1-2 count. Malloy reared back and threw a bullet on the outside corner to catch Durocher looking and earn a series split between these two second division clubs.
No comments:
Post a Comment