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Dutch Leonard pitches eight innings
of no-hit ball in relief, |
ON THIS DATE (July 20, 1914) ... The Red Sox won the last game in the series with the Detroit Tigers, by a score of 3 to 2, in 16 innings at Fenway Park. Fritz Coumbe shut out the visitors for eight innings, allowing them only six hits. Then an error by Everett Scott, followed by a two base hit from Sam Crawford, and an error by Coumbe himself, nullified all his hard work, as these lapses allowed Hughie Jenning's team to tie the score in the ninth inning, and forced the young pitcher to give way to Dutch Leonard. For the next eight innings, Dutch gave a wonderful demonstration of clever pitching. With a twisted ankle, he pitched no-hit ball, struck out nine men, and seemed he could continue on indefinitely. In fact, it looked like he just might have to do just that. The Red Sox had men in scoring position many times during those eight innings, but did not have the punch to finish the job, until with the bases full, in the 16th inning, and one out, Tris Speaker delivered the goods with a hit to left field. It was a heart-rending game since the Boston boys seem to have it clinched from the fifth inning until the break came against them in the ninth, and then with the numerous chances they had to land it and failed, it seemed that they could not win. But as long as Dutch was going the way he was, and had perfect support, there was little chance that it would be the Tigers could win it.
In the Detroit ninth, Harry Heilmann was the first man up and hit an easy grounder to Everett Scott, whose throw dragged Dick Hoblitzell off the first base bag. Sam Crawford doubled along the right field foul line to score Heilmann with the first Tiger run. Coumbe became noticeably upset and Veach laid down a bunt in an attempt to sacrifice, but Coumbe threw high to first and the ball glanced off Hoblitzell's glove. Bobby Veach unintentionally gave the ball a boot as he passed the bag, making it easy for Crawford to get home and tie the score. Bill Carrigan then called on Dutch Leonard from the left-field bullpen where he was warming up. With a man on first and none out, Dutch retired the next three batters. The fireworks went off in the 16th. With one out Carrigan drew a pass, but was forced out at second, with the second out of the inning, by Dutch. Harry Hooper singled to center and Dutch held up at second. Everett Scott took first when he was hit on the wrist by a pitched ball to fill the bases. Tris Speaker came up and rifled a shot to left field, bringing Leonard in with the winning walk-off run.
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