ON THIS DATE (August 15, 1916) ... By all odds the most interesting baseball game played at Fenway Park this year was provided
this afternoon, the champion Red Sox nosing out the Senators, 1 to 0, in 13 innings.
Walter Johnson was on the mound for the visitors and was never in better form or showed more stuff. He was frequently cheered by the crowd, who figured that he was showing invincible form and, seemingly, overlooked the fact that “Babe” Ruth was
going strong, clearing out-pointing Johnson at the finish. The winning run was driven in by Larry Gardner in the 13th, an inning that gave the crowd plenty of thrills and a finish that sent the fans home delighted.
Jack Barry led off for the 13th with an infield single. Duffy Lewis
then struck out on a curve two feet wide of the plate. Dick
Hoblitzell flied out to center and then Tilly Walker smashed a sharp single to center, sending Barry around to third.
It was up to Larry Gardner, who
had already contributed a single and a triple. Then to crown off his day’s work, he
laced the first ball up the center, driving it out between right and
center for a walk-off game winner.
Babe Ruth pitched every bit as
good as Johnson did and finished stronger, for the one run made by
Boston was earned on three safe drives by Barry, Walker and Gardner. It was an air-tight game won solely on its merits. The Washington players said after the game, that it was the best pitched game that Walter Johnson has pitched since they left home a month ago.
.JPG)
