Week 20 Results (August 29, 1938 - September 4, 1938)

Monday, August 29, 1938 

Transactions:

 

New York (NL) pitcher Hy Vandenberg was recalled from Jersey City (IL) before 08/30/1938

 

Boston (AL) (H) 17 Detroit 2 (Grand Slam!)

 

It was a close game until Boston scored six runs in the sixth, and then the Red Sox followed that up with eight runs in the seventh to make it a rout. Left fielder Joe Vosmik got the scoring started with a Grand Slam homerun (9) in the sixth, and Jimmie Foxx later added a three-run homerun (48, 159) in the seventh.

 

New York (AL) (H) 4 St. Louis (AL) 0

 

Lefty Gomez (15-6, 3.06) held the potent Browns offense to only four hits on the day and went all the way for the shutout victory. Oral Hildebrand (5-14, 9.23) kept the Yankees somewhat in check, but it wasn't enough.

Cleveland 15 Washington (H) 1

 

The Indians had a 2-1 lead after the fourth inning, but then they turned on the jets and pounded the Nationals thereafter. Jeff Heath and Rollie Hemsley both went 5-for-6 on the day, and Hal Trosky and Ken Keltner chipped in with four hits apiece, clearing the way for Earl Whitehill (8-7, 6.55) to go all the way for the complete-game victory.

 

Cincinnati (H) 4 New York (NL) 1

 

A two-run error by New York shortstop Dick Bartell in the bottom of the fifth gave the Reds a 4-0 lead and Bucky Walters (15-11, 3.28) took that lead and held off the Giants for the win.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 5 Brooklyn 4

 

The Pirates built a quick 3-0 lead, but the Dodgers cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth. Once again, Pittsburgh built up its lead, only to see Brooklyn rally back to cut the lead to 5-4. Cy Blanton (14-6, 2.35) and Bill Swift held off any further Dodgers rallies to capture the win for the Pirates.

 

Tuesday, August 30, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Boston (AL) pitcher Al Baker made his Major League Finale on 08/29/1938

 

Brooklyn pitcher Wayne LaMaster made his Major League Finale on 08/29/1938

 

Cincinnati infielder Don Lang was injured (?) on 08/29/1938. Cincinnati pitcher Red Barrett was recalled from Syracuse (IL) before 08/31/1938

 

Cleveland outfielder Moose Solters was injured (?) on 08/29/1938

 

New York (NL) pitcher Slick Castleman returned to the mound on 08/31/1938

 

St. Louis (AL) 13 Boston (AL) (H) 5

 

The Browns got off to a fast start thanks to a two-run homerun (25) from third baseman Harlond Clift, but it was a seven-run seventh that locked this one up for the Browns. Ed Cole (4-3, 7.41) went seven innings and picked up the win.

 

New York (AL) (H) 10 Detroit 3

Detroit catcher Rudy York slugged a three-run homerun (27, 117) in the top of the first, but Spud Chandler (15-2, 3.47) held them scoreless for the remainder of the game. Joe DiMaggio slugged his own three-run homerun (29, 135) in the bottom of the first, and then second baseman Joe Gordon walloped two homeruns (17, 18) later to lead the Yankees' comeback.

 

Cleveland 13 Philadelphia (AL) (H) 1

 

The Indians scored multiple runs in each of the first five innings to take a 13-1 lead right out of the chute. Johnny Allen (14-7, 4.46) scattered six hits and went all the way for the win.

 

Chicago (AL) 3 Washington (H) 0

 

Johnny Rigney (2-6, 3.56) shut out the Nationals on six hits and went all the way for the win. The White Sox pushed across two runs in the top of the third, and Rigney was able to make that slender lead stand up.

 

Boston (NL) 4 Chicago (NL) (H) 2

 

Jim Turner (12-13, 2.53) held the Cubs to four hits and went all the way for the complete game victory. The Bees scored single runs in four innings to slowly build their lead, and Turner did the rest.

 

Cincinnati (H) 5 Brooklyn 0 (GM 1)

 

Paul Derringer (22-5, 2.00) held the Dodgers to only four hits and threw a Game One shutout. The Reds bundled their hits when they scored five runs in the bottom of the third to spoil an otherwise strong outing from the Dodgers' Fred Frankhouse (3-3, 3.59).

 

Brooklyn 9 Cincinnati (H) 5 (GM 2)

 

The Dodgers scored first with five runs in the top of the third, and after much struggle, Brooklyn held on for the Game Two victory and the doubleheader split. Dolph Camilli hit a three-run homerun (21) in Brooklyn's early five-run outburst. Van Mungo (7-10, 4.59) got the win, with plenty of help from the Brooklyn bullpen.

 

New York (NL) 5 Pittsburgh (H) 1

 

Right fielder Jimmy Ripple slugged a three-run homerun (10) in the top of the sixth to expand the Giants' lead to 4-0, and Dick Coffman (5-0, 2.19) made his first start of the season a good one as he kept the Pirates scoreless until the eighth inning and went all the way for the win.

 

Philadelphia (NL) 3 St. Louis (NL) (H) 1 (GM 1)

 

The Phillies stroked a pair of doubles that led to three runs in the top of the first, and Max Butcher (6-6, 4.42) held off the Cardinals for the complete-game victory. Max Macon (6-4, 3.33) had a rough start to the game, but he knuckled down and kept Philadelphia scoreless the rest of the way.

 

Philadelphia (NL) 10 St. Louis (N L) (H) 4 (GM 2)

 

After some early back and forth, the Phillies blew the game open with a five-run seventh, and Claude Passeau (8-18, 4.64) went all the way for the win and doubleheader sweep.

 

Wednesday, August 31, 1938

 

Transactions: N/A

 

Boston (AL) (H) 14 St. Louis (AL) 3

 

The Red Sox scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth, three of which were unearned, but after that they proceeded to pound Browns pitchers and run away with the easy win. Bill Harris (4-2, 3.24) went all the way for the win, with the offense sparked by Jimmie Foxx (4-for-5 (.450), four runs scored, one RBI, and one double) and Ben Chapman (4-for-5 (.382), three runs scored, four RBI's, and one homerun (4)).

 

New York (AL) (H) 2 Detroit 1

The Yankees extended their current winning streak to eight games thanks to a great pitching performance by Steve Sundra (6-5, 6.53). Both teams scored a run in the second, and then Joe DiMaggio knocked a solo homerun (30, 136) in the sixth, and Sundra did the rest.

 

Philadelphia (AL) (H) 10 Cleveland 9 (10)

 

The Indians led 8-1 after the top of the fourth, but that lead was cut down to 8-7 at the completion of the seventh, and then after the eighth, the score was tied at 9-9. Both teams had chances to take the lead afterward, but then in the bottom of the tenth, Bob Johnson singled home Dick Seibert to give the A's the come-from-behind victory.

 

Washington (H) 6 Chicago (AL) 4

 

The Nationals dominated the early game, taking a 4-0 lead into the seventh, but then the White Sox came alive and tied the score at 4-4. Washington came right back to regain the lead, and Dutch Leonard (18-3, 2.70) and Ken Chase held off the Chicago attack to get the win and the Save

 

Chicago (NL) (H) 3 Boston (NL) 2

 

Both teams scored a run in the second inning, and then the Cubs took a 2-1 lead when they scored in the bottom of the fifth. Boston tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the eighth, but again the Cubs came back and regained the lead in the bottom of the inning. Bill Lee (18-9, 1.69) got the win over Milt Shoffner (2-10, 3.98), with Clay Bryant coming in to close out the ninth.

 

Brooklyn 5 Cincinnati (H) 4 (11)

 

The Dodgers got off to a fast start with two runs in the top of the first, and they added on from there to take a 4-0 lead into the eighth. The Reds finally scored a run in the bottom of the eighth, and then they busted through with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings. In the top of the eleventh, Babe Phelps singled home Ernie Koy, and this time Vito Tamulis (11-6, 4.70) was able to hold the lead and pick up the win.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 7 New York (NL) 3 (GM 1)

 

The Pirates blew open a tight game when they scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh, and then they added on two more runs in the eighth to lock up this game for Ed Brandt (4-2, 4.57).

 

New York (NL) 4 Pittsburgh (H) 2 (GM 2)

 

The Pirates were nursing a slender 2-1 lead heading into the eighth inning when backup catcher Gus Mancuso swatted a two-out two-run homerun (3) to put the Giants in the lead for the first time. Cliff Melton (13-10, 3.71) got the Game Two win over Red Lucas (3-7, 4.23) to split the doubleheader.

 

St. Louis (NL) (H) 10 Philadelphia (NL) 9 (GM 1) (10)

 

Claude Passeau made the victorious start for the Phillies in Game Two yesterday, and he was given the assignment of the start in today's Game One. Philadelphia got its offense going early and led 7-2 after the top of the third and then led 9-4 after the top of the sixth. Fatigue caught up with him, though, and the Cardinals scored five times in the bottom of the sixth, tying the score at 9-9. There the score stayed until the bottom of the tenth when Curt Davis (11-12, 3.38) slapped a single into left to score Don Gutteridge with the game-winning run.

 

St. Louis (NL) (H) 2 Philadelphia (NL) 1 (GM 2)

 

The Cardinals scored two runs in the bottom of the second, and Bill McGee (11-9, 2.98) and Lon Warneke made that lead stand up, getting the victory and the Save over Al Hollingsworth (7-13, 5.29).

 

Thursday, September 1, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

New York (AL) pitcher Steve Sundra was injured (?) on 08/31/1938

 

Pittsburgh outfielder Heinie Manush (Team Debut 09/02/1938) was claimed on waivers from Brooklyn on 05/15/1938

Boston (AL) (H) 4 St. Louis (AL) 3

 

Backup catcher Johnny Peacock lined a run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth to get the win for Fritz Ostermueller (8-2, 2.51). A three-run homerun (10) by left fielder Joe Vosmik in the bottom of the fifth tied the score at 3-3, and the Red Sox held on from there until the fateful ninth inning.

 

New York (AL) (H) 5 Detroit 4

 

The Yankees extended their winning streak to nine games as they scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning and Monte Pearson (17-3, 4.52) went all the way for the win. Charlie Gehringer hit a two-run homerun (22, 108) in the fourth and Hank Greenberg immediately followed that up with a solo homerun (47, 158), but Pearson was too much for Detroit to overcome today.

 

Cleveland 8 Philadelphia (AL) (H) 3

 

A three-run homerun (22, 110) by Jeff Heath in the top of the seventh inning locked this game up for Bob Feller (11-11, 4.49). Feller only walked four but induced three double plays to keep the A's at bay.

 

Chicago (AL) 4 Washington (H) 1

 

Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning but that was all the scoring until Thornton Lee (10-14, 4.37) swatted a three-run homerun (3) in the top of the ninth to give the White Sox the win.

 

Chicago (NL) (H) 5 Boston (NL) 4 (17)

 

Shortstop Billy Jurges knocked a two-out line drive off the wall to bring home Ripper Collins from second with the winning run in the bottom of the seventeenth inning. Clay Bryant went fifteen innings for the Cubs, but it was Dizzy Dean (9-1, 1.81) who picked up the win in relief.

 

New York (NL) 2 Pittsburgh (H) 0

 

The Giants scored two runs in the top of the first and then they got out of the way and let Hal Schumacher (15-6, 3.49) go all the way and shut out the first-place Pirates.

 

Note: On this date in 1938, the first-place Pirates maintained a seven-game lead over the Cubs and Reds.

 

St. Louis (NL) (H) 4 Philadelphia (NL) 3

 

The Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom of the third to tie the score at 3-3, and they finally took the lead with a run in the seventh. Curt Davis (12-12, 3.36) went two innings in yesterday's seventeen-inning marathon, and he came back today with a complete-game victory.

 

Friday, September 2, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Philadelphia (AL) outfielder Mule Haas made his Major League Finale on 09/01/1938

 

Chicago (AL) infielder Merv Connors made his Season Debut on 09/03/1838. Chicago (AL) infielder Johnny Gerlach made his Major League Debut on 09/03/1938. Chicago (AL) infielder George Meyer made his Major League Debut on 09/03/1938. Chicago (AL) outfielder Larry Rosenthal returned to play on 09/03/1938

 

Detroit infielder Billy Rogell returned to play on 09/03/1938

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Rip Sewell returned to the mound on 09/03/1930

 

New York (AL) (H) 5 Boston (AL) 3

#1 versus #2 in the AL, with the Yankees carrying a strong 12.0-games lead over the visiting Red Sox. A two-run homerun (19) by Joe Gordon helped spark the Yankees to a 5-0 lead after the sixth inning, and Red Ruffing (19-5, 3.21) held on for the complete-game victory. Ruffing induced a double play on the top of the eighth to empty the bases, right before Jimmie Foxx swatted a long homerun (49, 161).

 

Philadelphia (AL) (H) 15 Washington 14

 

The Nationals scored two runs in the top of the first, but the A's came right back with a seven-run outburst in the bottom half of the inning to take a 7-2 lead. But both sides knew there would be more runs scored today. Washington tied the score at 7-7 with five runs in the top of the second and then added on three more in the top of the third. Washington eventually took a 12-7 lead after the top of the sixth, but that was when Philadelphia began their comeback, scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth, and then tying the game at 14-14 when they scored five times in the bottom of the eighth. Washington went scoreless in the ninth, but Philadelphia wasted no time and scored the winning run on a single by Dick Siebert. Nationals first baseman Zeke Bonura had quite a day - 6-for-6 (.395), seven RBI's, and two homeruns (22 & 23, 101).

 

St. Louis (NL) 2 Pittsburgh (H) 1

 

A close one all the way as Bob Weiland (12-13, 3.27) outdueled Cy Blanton (14-7, 2.35) for the tough road win. Weiland doubled home the first run for the Cardinals, and he never gave up the lead.

 

Saturday, September 3, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Philadelphia (AL) pitcher Nels Potter made his Season Finale on 09/02/1938. Philadelphia (AL) infielder Skeeter Newsome returned to play on 09/04/1938

 

Brooklyn outfielder Oris Hockett made his Major League Debut on 09/04/1938. Brooklyn pitcher Lee Rogers returned to the mound on 09/04/1938

 

New York (NL) infielder Alex Kampouris returned to play on 09/04/1938

 

Chicago (AL) catcher Mike Tresh made his Major League Debut on 09/04/1938

 

Detroit 8 Chicago (AL) (H) 4

 

A three-run homerun (28, 121) by Rudy York keyed a five-run sixth for the Tigers and Tommy Bridges (10-3, 2.94) was able to go all the way for the complete-game win over Jack Knott (7-10, 3.44).

 

New York (AL) (H) 7 Boston (AL) 4

 

The Yankees led 4-1 after the third, thanks to  Lou Gehrig's two-run homerun (21, 101) that gave the Yankees an early lead. The Red Sox pulled to within 4-3 after the top of the seventh, but Joe DiMaggio hit a solo homerun (31, 137) and the Yankees pulled away for the win. Lefty Gomez (16-6, 3.10) got the win.

 

Philadelphia (AL) (H) 5 Washington 1

 

The A's blew open a tight game when they scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth, allowing George Caster (10-16, 4.67) to go all the way for the win over Joe Krakauskas (2-3, 3.91).

 

Cleveland 13 St. Louis (NAL) (H) 2

 

Two-run homeruns by Hal Trosky (16, 94) and Ken Keltner (24, 103) powered the Indians' five-run first, and Cleveland proceeded to pound the Browns for the win. Mel Harder (15-7, 2.95) went all the way for the win over Oral Hildebrand (5-15, 9.44).

 

Philadelphia (NL) 4 Boston (NL) (H) 3

 

The Phillies scored two runs in the top of the first, both teams scored single runs in the second, and it looked like Philadelphia's 3-1 lead would stand. The Phillies added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, which came in handy because Al Lopez smacked a two-out two-run triple in the bottom half of the inning, but no more runs were forthcoming, and Max Butcher (7-6, 4.32) got the win.

 

Brooklyn (H) 3 New York (NL) 2

A passed ball led to a second Dodgers run in the bottom of the third, and now armed with a 3-1 lead, Freddie Fitzsimmons (12-7, 2.10) was able to go all the way for the victory. Johnnie Wittig (0-1, 5.52) made his first start of the season and pitched well, but took the loss.

 

Chicago (NL) 5 Cincinnati (H) 3 (GM 1)

 

Cubs center fielder Carl Reynolds blew open a tight game when he walloped a three-run homerun (4) in the top of the eighth, and Jack Russell got through the final two innings to secure the win for Vance Page (1-3, 6.08). Paul Derringer (22-6, 2.09) took the Game One loss.

 

Cincinnati (H) 11 Chicago (NL) 1 (GM 2)

 

The Reds made quick work of this game, scoring four runs in the second and then adding three more in the fourth. Right fielder Ival Goodman went 4-for-5 (.273) and drove in three crucial early runs. Bucky Walters (16-11, 3.27) got the win over Tex Carleton (10-9, 5.56).

 

Pittsburgh (H) 9 St. Louis (NL) 3

 

The Pirates jumped ahead with three runs in the bottom of the second, but the Cardinals fought back to make it close at 4-3 after the top of the sixth. The Pittsburgh offense then re-engaged and clobbered St. Louis starter Max Macon (6-5, 3.73), allowing Jim Tobin (21-6, 1.91) to get the win.

 

Sunday, September 4, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Chicago (AL) infielder Jimmie Dykes made his Season Finale on 09/03/1938

 

Chicago (NL) infielder Tony Lazzeri was injured (?) on 09/03/1938. Chicago (NL) outfielder Joe Marty was injured (?) on 09/03/1938

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Rip Sewell made his Season Finale on 09/03/1938

 

St. Louis (NL) pitcher Ray Harrell returned to the mound on 09/05/1938

 

St. Louis (AL) pitcher Harry Kimberlin made his Season Debut on 09/30/1938. St. Louis (AL) pitcher Bill Trotter made his Season Debut on 09/30/1938. Trotter had previously been recalled from San Antonio (TL)

 

Brooklyn infielder Woody Williams made his Major League Debut on 09/05/1938

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 5 Detroit 4

 

Solo homeruns by Charlie Gehringer (23, 110), Rudy York (29, 122), and Billy Rogell (5) helped stake the Tigers to an early lead, but in the bottom of the ninth, the White Sox offense suddenly came alive. With three runs already in and with the bases loaded, backup catcher Tony Rensa hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the game-winner.

 

Washington 8 New York (AL) (H) 2

 

Taffy Wright's two-run pinch-hit single in the top of the eighth gave the Nationals a commanding 8-2 lead, and Harry Kelley was able to come in and close out the final two innings and Elon Hogsett (3-5, 7.18) got the win and ended the Yankees' winning streak at eleven games..

 

Boston (AL) 3 Philadelphia (AL) (H) 2 (GM 1)

 

Boston scored a run in the fourth and then added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth, which came in handy when A's left fielder Sam Chapman smacked a two-run homerun (18) in the bottom of the inning to make the score 3-2. Archie McKain came in and got a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve the Game One win for Jim Bagby (13-9, 3.61).

 

Boston (AL) 17 Philadelphia (AL) (H) 5 (GM 2)

 

The Red Sox led 6-0 after the third, then they added five more in the fifth, and that wasn't enough, so they scored three runs in both the eighth and ninth innings as well. Bill Harris (5-2, 3.63) had one bad inning - the A's scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth - but the Athletics were no match for the Red Sox today.

 

Cleveland 7 St. Louis (AL) (H) 3 (GM 1)

 

The Indians did all their damage in the middle innings, and Johnny Allen (15-7, 4.44) and Johnny Humphries cleaned up from there for the Game One win.

 

Cleveland 1 St. Louis (AL) (H) 1 (GM 2) (7) (Tie Game)

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLA/SLA193809042.shtml

 

Boston (NL) (H) 14 Philadelphia (NL) 6 (GM 1)

 

Boston plated six runs in the bottom of the second, the big hit being a three-run homerun (6) by first baseman Elbie Fletcher. The Bees rolled on from there, including adding four runs in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to a three-run homerun (7) by Vince DiMaggio. Jim Turner (13-13, 2.62) went all the way for the Game One win.

 

Philadelphia (NL) 10 Boston (NL) (H) 7 (GM 2) (11)

 

The Phillies took an early 3-0 lead, the Bees kept it close, and then in the bottom of the seventh, Boston scored four runs to take a 6-3 lead. This time, Philadelphia had an answer, and they scored three runs in the top of the eighth to tie the score at 6-6, and the game soon moved into extra innings. The Phillies struck first, and they struck hard, scoring four runs in the top of the eleventh, and Philadelphia had their Game Two win. Reliever Al Smith (2-2, 7.39) went four innings and picked up the win.

 

Brooklyn (H) 7 New York (NL) 4 (GM 1)

 

A two-run homerun (28) by Mel Ott helped stake the Giants to a three-run first, but the Dodgers struck back with three runs in the bottom of the second to tie the score at 3-3. New York scored a run in the top of the third, and it looked like that 4-3 score might last the whole game, but Brooklyn suddenly came awake with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead. In the eighth, a two-out two-run pinch-hit double by Tuck Stainback padded the Dodgers' lead, and they took home the Game One win.

 

New York (NL) 10 Brooklyn (H) 9 (GM 2)

 

The Dodgers led 6-2 after the third inning, and then they led 8-3 after the sixth, but a four-run outburst by the Giants in the top of the eighth cut the Dodgers' lead to 8-7. In the ninth, recently acquired second baseman Bill Cissell surprised everyone when he smacked a three-run homerun (3) to put the Giants ahead to stay.

 

Chicago (NL) 10 Cincinnati (H) 4

The Reds led 3-1 after the second, and then they led 4-1 after the sixth, but in the top of the ninth, the Cubs pounded the Cincinnati bullpen for nine runs (four unearned) to claim a dramatic comeback victory. The hero of the ninth was backup catcher Bob Garbark, who had a pair of two-run pinch-hit singles. Charlie Root (4-4, 2.08) got the win.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 2 St. Louis (NL) 1

 

Russ Bauers (17-4, 2.66) pitched a masterpiece, holding the Cardinals to only six hits and inducing three double plays when St. Louis did threaten. Second baseman Pep Young had both of the Pirates' RBI's, with Ray Henshaw (5-8, 4.11) taking the tough loss.