Week 21 Results (09/02/1957 - 09/08/1957)

 Monday, September 2, 1957 (Labor Day)

Transaction List:

 

Pittsburgh shortstop Buddy Pritchard made his final major league appearance on 09/01/1957

 

Boston outfielder Ted Williams was injured (?) on 09/01/1957 and did not return to play until 09/17/1957

 

Cincinnati pitcher Bill Kennedy made his season debut on 09/03/1957

 

Baltimore (H) 12 New York (AL) 3 (GM 1)

 

This one was decided quickly when the Orioles jumped on Don Larsen (9-8, 4.75) for five runs before the end of the first and they went on to pound the Yankees bullpen for the remainder of the game. The Orioles had twelve hits and three walks, so their offense was very efficient (although two sacrifice flies were very helpful).

 

Baltimore (H) 6 New York (AL) 5 (GM 2)

 

This time it was the Yankees who got off to a fast start with three in top of the first, but the Orioles stayed hot, scored twice n the bottom half of the inning and eventually regained the lead in the fifth. Connie Johnson (14-9, 2.18) kept the Yankees scoreless in the final six inning and picked up the win.

 

Jimmy Piersall

Boston (H) 2 Washington 1 (GM 1)

A solo homerun by Jimmy Piersall (#21) in the bottom of the eighth was the difference and Frank Sullivan (18-5, 1.69) continued his charmed season.

 

Washington 14 Boston (H) 2 (GM 2)

 

At the completion of the fifth inning the score was tied 2-2, and then the Senators went on a hitting barrage, finishing with nineteen hits on the day. The hitting highlight belonged to Washington reliever Bud Byerly, who entered the game in the seventh inning and in his two at-bats ended up with a pair of triples.

 

Cleveland (H) 2 Kansas City 2 (GM 1)

 

The Indians scored twice early and Mike Garcia (10-7, 3.13) went all the way with a three-hit victory over the A's.

 

Cleveland (H) 6 Kansas City 5 (GM 2) (Grand Slam!)

 

A's catcher Hal W. Smith gave the visitors an early lead with a grand slam (#12) in the third but Ralph Terry (6-5, 3.65) had control problems all day (he walked nine) and the Indians were finally able to take advantage when Vic Wertz gave the Indians the lead in the seventh with a two-run homerun (#33).

 

Chicago (AL) 13 Detroit (H) 8 (GM 1)

 

First baseman Earl Torgeson hit a two-run homerun in the top of the first and the White Sox were off and running, accruing seventeen hits on the day. Jim Rivera hit a three-run double in the third and Nellie Fox hit a three-run homerun as part of a seven-run fifth, giving Chicago a 13-3 lead in the fifth. Ray Boone knocked a three-run double as part of a five-run seventh for the Tigers, but it was too little, too late.

 

Chicago (AL) 5 Detroit (H) 2 (GM 2) (Grand Slam!)

 

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead after the second but then in the third Sherm Lollar blasted a grand slam (#19) and Chicago was back on top. Both Dick Donovan (19-5, 2.59) and Frank Lary (9-17, 4.35) shut down the opposing offenses after that, but the White Sox had their doubleheader sweep.

 

Brooklyn (H) 4 Philadelphia 0 (GM 1)

 

Danny McDevitt (3-8, 4.13) kept his control problems in check and went all the way for the shutout win in game one. Gil Hodges hit #32 as part of a three-run sixth to provide some much needed padding.

 

Philadelphia 5 Brooklyn (H) 4 (GM 2)

 

Phillies shortstop Chico Fernandez drew a two-out bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth to give the visitors their first lead of the day and Turk Farrell came in to nail down the win in the bottom of the ninth.

 

Milwaukee 3 Chicago (NL) (H) 2 (GM 1)

 

The Braves hit into two double plays, the Cubs hit into four, and turned a potential offensive extravaganza into a tight-down-to-the-last-pitch type of game. Lew Burdette (17-9, 3.50) got the win and Don McMahon got through the ninth with no more damage.

 

Milwaukee 3 Chicago (NL) (H) 0 (GM 2)

 

Bob Trowbridge (6-4, 3.38) shutout the Cubs on four hits and the Braves swept the doubleheader in Chicago. Shortstop Felix Mantilla drove in two runs to spark the Milwaukee offense.

 

Cincinnati (H) 7 St. Louis 4 (GM 1)

 

The Cardinals led 3-2 after the first but the Reds kept coming and they took their first lead of the game when Hal Jeffcoat (10-14, 4.00) hit a two-run homerun (#6) in the fifth. The Reds bullpen was shaky towards the end but they eventually got the job done.

 

St. Louis 7 Cincinnati (H) 5 (GM 2)

 

Again the Cardinals scored first and again the Reds stormed back but this time the teams went into extra innings with the score tied at 4-4. St. Louis finally broke through with three in the top of the eleventh to make a winner of Larry Jackson (14-6, 2.22).

 

Pittsburgh 7 New York (NL) (H) 6 (14) (GM 1)

 

The Pirates pushed across a run in the top of the ninth to tie the score 6-6 and the game soon went into extra innings. Bullpens on both teams suddenly became effective until Frank Thomas drove home Gene Freese with the eventual game winner in the top of the fourteenth.

 

New York (NL) (H) 10 Pittsburgh 6 (GM 2) (Grand Slam!)

 

New York scored four runs in the first as Pittsburgh starter Johnny O'Brien didn’t retire a batter and then Hank Sauer hit a grand slam (#30) and after that the Giants put it on cruise control for the doubleheader split.

 

Tuesday, September 3, 1957

 

Transaction List:

 

Chicago (NL) pitcher Bob Anderson made his final season appearance on 09/02/1957.  Chicago (NL) pitcher Elmer Singleton made his final season appearance on 09/02/1957

 

New York (AL) pitcher Al Cicotte made his final season appearance on 09/02/1957

 

Boston shortstop Billy Consolo was injured (?) on 09/02/1957 and did not return to play until 09/18/1957

 

Brooklyn pitcher Clem Labine made his final season appearance on 09/02/1957

 

Detroit pitcher Bob Shaw made his final season appearance on 09/02/1957

 

Cincinnati pitcher Jay Hook made his major league debut on 09/03/1957. Hook signed as an amateur free agent (bonus baby) on 08/22/1957

 

Note: The White Sox magic number dropped from 22 to 18 yesterday.

 

New York (AL) 5 Baltimore (H) 2

 

Little used second baseman Jerry Coleman sparked the Yankees offense with a solo homerun (#4) in the fourth and then an RBI double in the ninth, providing a little padding for Tom Sturdivant (13-6, 3.30).

 

Chicago (AL) 1 Detroit (H) 0

 

The White Sox only had one hit on the day - a seventh inning homerun by Minnie Minoso (#11), but Bob Keegan (15-8, 2.94) limited the Tigers to only four hits and went all the way for the shutout victory. Billy Hoeft (15-8, 2.94) was the hard-luck loser.

 

Brooklyn (H) 4 Philadelphia 3

 

In a battle up and coming star pitchers Don Drysdale (14-7, 2.07) and Jack Sanford (15-8, 2.35) both started off the game by giving up two run homeruns. The Phillies took the lead with a run in the top of the seventh, but the Dodgers came right back with two in the bottom half of the inning, the eventual winning run scoring on a double play by Duke Snider.

 

Note: I knew this was occurring, but over the course of game play I simply forgot that Brooklyn played a handful of games in Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey during the 1957 season as part of their negotiating tactic for better accommodations in Brooklyn. Today was one of those days.

 

Roosevelt Stadium

Milwaukee 3 Chicago (NL) (H) 2

 

Hank Aaron (#42) and Del Crandall (#12) homered to give the Braves the early lead and Warren Spahn (19-5, 3.13) went all the way for the tough win in Chicago.

 

Cincinnati (H) 10 St. Louis 4

 

The Cardinals led 4-0 after the third but then the Reds offense got cranked up with three runs in the fourth, three in the fifth, and then four in the seventh as the St. Louis bullpen took a pounding. Wally Post led the Cincinnati offense with a 3-for-4 days that included two runs scored, three RBI's, and a double and a homerun.

 

Pittsburgh 9 New York (NL) (H) 0

 

The Pirates piled up sixteen hits on the day and Vern Law (12-8, 2.54) held the Giants to only five on his way to a complete game shutout victory.

 

Wednesday, September 4, 1957

 

Transaction List:

 

Philadelphia pitcher Bob J. Miller made his final season appearance on 09/03/1957

 

Cincinnati pitcher Raul Sanchez made his final season appearance on 09/03/1957

 

St. Louis outfielder Gene Green made his major league debut on 09/10/1957

 

Milwaukee shortstop Johnny Logan returned to play on 09/05/1957 following his injury (?) of 08/16/1957. Milwaukee first baseman Joe Adcock returned to play on 09/05/1957 following his broken ankle of 06/23/1957

Roy Sievers

Washington 9 Baltimore (H) 1

The Senators blew open a close game with a six-run sixth and Camilo Pascual (8-12, 5.04) went all the way for the win. Roy Sievers homered (#42) and was now tied for the ML homerun lead with Hank Aaron.

 

Boston 4 New York (AL) (H) 3

 

The Yankees rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the score at 3-3 after the seventh, but the Red Sox scored when Gene Stephens, covering left field while Ted Williams is out, singled home Jimmy Piersall with the eventual game winner. Tom Brewer (11-13, 4.28) went all the way for the win.

 

Note: The BBR Box Score shows Jerry Coleman starting at second base and batting eighth for New York while ATMgr shows Bobby Richardson.

 

Cincinnati 7 Chicago (H) 3 (GM 1)

 

Ernie Banks hit a two-run homerun in the first (#32) but after that it was all Cincinnati as Ted Kluszewski hit two homeruns (#6, #7) to power Bud Podbielan (1-0, 5.40) to the complete game victory.

 

Cincinnati 13 Chicago (NL) (H) 11 (GM 2)

 

Don Elston started for the Cubs and eft the game after the seventh with a comfortable 9-2 lead, thanks in part to a pair of homeruns from Ernie Banks (#33, #34). However, the Chicago bullpen imploded and the Reds scored six times in the eighth and then they got their first lead of the game with a five-run ninth. George Crowe hit a three-run homerun (#25) in the top of the ninth and the Reds held on for the come-from-behind win and doubleheader sweep.

 

Brooklyn 7 Philadelphia (H) 5

 

These two teams just finished a series in Brooklyn and resumed play in Philadelphia today. The Dodgers put up a five-spot (all unearned) in the fourth and Don Newcombe (14-8, 3.30) withstood a late Phillies comeback attempt to get the win.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 7 New York (NL) 3

 

These two teams just finished a series in New York and resumed play in Pittsburgh today. Bob Friend (25-6, 2.38) not only improved his record but also contributed a two-run homerun and three RBI's.

 

St. Louis (H) 8 Milwaukee 2

 

The Cardinals scored four times in the bottom of the first and veteran hurler Herm Wehmeier (9-8, 6.10) went all the way for the complete game victory. Hank Aaron did hit #43 to retake the ML lead in homeruns.

 

Thursday, September 5, 1957

 

Transaction List:

 

Chicago (NL) catcher Cal Neeman was injured (?) on 09/04/1957 and did not return until 09/29/1957

 

Boston catcher Sammy White was injured (?) on 09/04/19457 and did not return to play until 09/15/1957

 

Kansas City pitcher George Brunet made his season debut on 09/15/1957

 

Washington 4 Baltimore (H) 3 (10)

 

The Senators took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth but the dormant Orioles offense suddenly came alive and tied the score at 3-3, ending the game into extra innings. Washington wasted no time loading the bases and Bob Usher was able to hit a long sacrifice fly that scored Roy Sievers and this time Dick Hyde (3-1, 3.17) was able to get a 1-2-3 tenth to get the win.

 

Harry Simpson

New York (AL) (H) 4 Boston 2

 

Harry Simpson hit a three-run homerun (#9) in the sixth and Bob Turley (16-3, 2.65) and Bob Grim handled the Red Sox thereafter to get the Yankees back on the winning track.

 

Cincinnati 2 Chicago (NL) (H) 1

 

Dick Drott (7-14, 3.58) struck out nine in seven innings but took the loss because Brooks Lawrence (14-9, 3.78) was better today. The Reds trailed most of the way but a two-run seventh inning made the difference.

 

Brooklyn 3 Philadelphia (H) 0

 

Backup outfielder Elmer Valo hit a two-run homerun (#4) the first and Carl Erskine (1-3, 3.51) went all the way for the shutout win over Robin Roberts (11-14, 4.88).

 

Pittsburgh (H) 2 New York (NL) 1

 

With the score tied at 1-1 a perfect hit-and-run single off the bat of Dick Groat sent Bill Virdon to third base and Frank Thomas soon knocked a long sacrifice fly to bring home the game winner.

 

Milwaukee 5 St. Louis (H) 3

 

The Cardinals scored first with three in the fourth, but the Braves answered back with four in the sixth and Lew Burdette (18-9, 3.51) and the Milwaukee bullpen took care of business from there.

 

Friday, September 6, 1957

 

Transaction List:

 

Chicago (NL) pitcher Jim Brosnan returned to the mound on 09/07/1957 following his injury (?) of 08/21/1957

 

Washington pitcher Ralph Lumenti made his major league debut on 09/07/1957. Lumenti had signed as an amateur free agent (bonus baby) on 09/02/1957

 

Philadelphia pitcher Tom Qualters made his season debut on 09/07/1957

 

Baltimore pitcher Dizzy Trout made his season debut on 09/07/1957

 

Boston (H) 9 Baltimore 8

 

The Orioles scored twice in the first and then five times in the second and looked to be cruising towards an easy win in Boston. The Red Sox scored a few times - first baseman Mickey Vernon hit two solo homeruns (#9, #10), but things were well in hand for Baltimore until Boston came through with a five-run eighth to take their first lead of the day. Dick Gernert hit a two-out pinch-hit homerun (#12) to tie the score and that was immediately followed by a Jimmy Piersall homerun (#22) that put the Red Sox ahead.

 

Alex Kellner

Kansas City 4 Chicago (AL) (H) 2

The A's plated two in the first behind a two-out two-run single from Billy Martin and then two more in the fourth and Alex Kellner (8-7, 4.89) and the Kansas City bullpen held on for a victory over the AL leading White Sox.

 

Detroit (H) 10 Cleveland 0

 

Charley Maxwell hit a three-run homerun (#27) as part of a four-run first and then Al Kaline hit a three-run homerun (#19) as part of a three-run seventh as the Tigers thumped the Indians. Jim Bunning (19-5, 2.33) gave up seven hits but otherwise shutout the visitors.

 

New York (AL) 2 Washington (H) 1

 

The Senators led most of the way but a two-out two-run single off the bat of Gil McDougald in the top of the eighth was just what the Yankees were looking for. Sal Maglie (6-10, 2.28) got the win in his first start for the New York.

 

Milwaukee (H) 11 Chicago (NL) 3

 

The Braves scored three times in the first and then three more times in the second behind homeruns from Hank Aaron (#44) and Felix Mantilla (#3). Bob Trowbridge (7-4, 3.40) got the win.

 

Brooklyn 4 New York (NL) (H) 1

 

The Dodgers scored twice in the second and twice in the third, the big hit being a two-run double by backup catcher Rube Walker in the third. Johnny Podres (16-7, 2.82) continued his great season.

 

Philadelphia 8 Pittsburgh (H) 7

 

Both teams had multiple leads but it was a Harry Anderson single that scored Richie Ashburn in the top of the ninth that put the Phillies ahead for good. Turk Farrell (7-3, 4.18) blew the save in the eighth but got the win in the ninth.

 

St. Louis (H) 5 Cincinnati 4

 

St. Louis scored three times in the first and even though they never lost the lead, they did have to fight to the last out to protect it. A Wally Moon two-run double in the fourth inning was the big hit and Larry Jackson (15-6, .2) was able to walk away with the win.

 

Saturday, September 7, 1957

 

Transaction List:

 

Cleveland pitcher Hank Aguirre was recalled before 09/08/1957

 

Milwaukee pitcher Bob Buhl returned to the mound on 09/08/1857 following his injury (?) of 08/17/1957. Milwaukee infielder Harry Hanebrink made his season debut on 09/08/1957

 

Chicago (NL) outfielder Eddie Haas made his major league debut on 09/08/1957

 

St. Louis first baseman Stan Musial returned to play on 09/08/1957 following his injury (?) of 08/22/1957

 

Washington outfielder Faye Throneberry returned to play on 09/08/1957 following his injury (?) of 08/20/1957

 

Boston (H) 4 Baltimore 2

 

For the second day in a row a late Jimmy Piersall (#23) homerun put the Red Sox ahead of the Orioles and Frank Sullivan (19-5, 1.71) gladly took the win.

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 7 Kansas City 5

 

The A's scored twice in the first and led 5-1 after the top of the sixth, but then Walt Dropo it a two-run pinch-hit homerun (#17) in the bottom of the sixth and soon the score was tied at 5-5. In the bottom of the eighth Minnie Minoso doubled home Luis Aparicio and the White Sox had their first lead of the day.

 

Detroit (H) 4 Cleveland 3

 

A back-and-forth affair that came down to an Al Kaline sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth that scored Bill Tuttle to secure the win for Frank Lary (10-17, 4.25).

 

New York (AL) 14 Washington (H) 0 (Grand Slam!)

 

Enos Slaughter hit a two-run homerun (#4) n the first and then bookended that with a grand slam (#5) in the ninth. In between Whitey Ford (9-3, 2.05) threw a four-hit shutout to help keep the Yankees hopes alive.

 

Note: Washington pitcher Ralph Lumenti made his major league debut in this game and in one inning of work has now given up more grand slams than Jim Palmer did in his entire career.

 

Chicago (NL) 11 Milwaukee (H) 5

 

Ernie Banks hit a two-run homerun (#35) in the first and the Cubs soon moved out to a 5-2 lead over Warren Spahn (19-6, 3.24). The Braves started to climb back and eventually got the score to within 6-5, but then Moose Moryn hit a three-run triple in the top of the ninth and Banks followed that up with his second two-run homerun (#36) of the game. Dave Hillman (3-11, 6.54) battled all the way and got the complete game victory.

 

Brooklyn 4 New York (NL) (H) 1

 

Both teams scored a run in the sixth, but then the Dodgers broke through for three runs in the seventh, the big hit being a two-run double by shortstop Charlie Neal. Danny McDevitt (4-8, 3.86) only allowed four hits and went all the way for the win.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 3 Philadelphia 2

 

This was a nail-biter all the way as the Phillies went into the bottom of the ninth with a 2-1 lead and their relief ace on the mound. Turk Farrell (7-4, 4.43) promptly loaded the bases and then catcher Hank Foiles lined a double off the wall to bring home two runners and a Pirates win.

 

Cincinnati 3 St. Louis (H) 1

 

Ken Boyer led off the bottom of the first with a homerun (#21) but that would the only run Hal Jeffcoat (11-14, 3.87) would allow today. The Cardinals did get eight hits on the day, but Jeffcoat was never really threatened.

 

Sunday, September 8, 1957

 

Baltimore 2 Boston (H) 0

 

Billy O'Dell (6-7, 2.95) twirled a five-hit shutout in Fenway, plus he drove in the first run of the game with a single in the fifth.

 

Kansas City 4 Chicago (AL) (H) 2

 

Two-run homeruns from Tim Thompson in the fourth and then Lou Skizas in the fifth powered the A's to a win over the powerful White Sox in Chicago. Jack Urban (6-4, 2.70) got the win with help from the Kansas City bullpen and prevented Dick Donovan (19-6, 2.63) from getting win #20.

 

Rocky Colavito

Cleveland 7 Detroit (H) 0

Rocky Colavito had a two-run triple in the seventh to put the Indians ahead and then he had a two-run homerun (#18) in the ninth to put the game out of reach. Cal McLish (7-3, 2.01) threw a five-hit shutout for the win in Detroit.

 

Washington (H) 4 New York (AL) 0

 

The Yankees outhit the Senators 6-5 but Russ Kemmerer (7-17, 5.23) scattered those Yankees hits while the Senators mixed their hits with some walks and some porous New York defense to gain the win.

 

Milwaukee (H) 12 Chicago (NL) 8

 

The Cubs scored five times in the top of the first but by the end of the second it was the Braves on top by a score of 7-6. With both starters long gone by now it was the Milwaukee bullpen that eventually prevailed with Juan Pizarro (7-5, 5.30) getting the win in relief.

 

Brooklyn 7 New York (NL) (H) 5

 

The Dodgers led 4-0 and 5-3, but a Willie Mays homerun (#27) tied the score at 5-5 in the sixth. The Dodgers extended their winning streak to six games by scoring single runs in the eighth and ninth.

 

Note: Mays hit four triples this week (#14), putting him within one of the top in the NL in this category (Bill Bruton with 15, but who hasn’t played in over a month due to injury).

 

Pittsburgh (H) 7 Philadelphia 2 (GM 1)

 

Frank Thomas hit a three--run triple in the first and then followed that with a three-run homerun (#25, 111 RBI's) in the fifth and Bob Friend (26-6, 2.37) won again. Right fielder Rip Repulski grounded into three double plays to further handcuff the Phillies offense.

 

Philadelphia 9 Pittsburgh (H) 3

 

Catcher Stan Lopata hit two homeruns (#14, #15) to help the Phillies get a doubleheader split. This game featured a total of five double plays - it was a bit of a mess with several errors and unearned runs in the scorebook.

 

St. Louis (H) 5 Cincinnati 4

 

A two-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth from Del Ennis (#22) put the Cardinals ahead to stay. Both teams had runners thrown out at the plate while trying to score.