Cursed by shoddy defense and Morgan’s spitter, Senators are swamped by the Athletics, 10-1
PHILADELPHIA, May 5, 1910 – Poor Jimmy McAleer. The Washington manager brought his struggling club to Shibe Park yesterday to tangle with Connie’s White Elephants, the hottest team in the American League. Mentally, most of his troops never showed up – playing the most lethargic game of ball seen on these grounds all season.
Athletics starter Cy Morgan had complete mastery of his spitball this afternoon; baffling the Washington lineup throughout the game. The Senators managed just three, well scattered, singles, a double by right fielder Doc Gessler, and nary a walk. The Athletics, however, blasted Washington starter Dixie Walker for eleven hits, three of the extra-base variety, and five free passes. The defense didn’t help Walker’s cause, making three official errors (including one by Walker himself) and a host of other blunders. The Senators basically put on a bird-brained exhibition that was hardly becoming of a big league ball club.
The Mackmen jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning and salted the game away with a six spot in the bottom of the fourth frame. The way McAleer’s boys resembled a rag tag group of sandlotters from Fishtown, the game, for all intents and purposes, was over. The Senators managed a run off Morgan in the seventh inning. With one down, Kid Elberfeld singled through the box. Gessler was hit by a pitched ball and Tom Crooke dribbled an infield single. George McBride lofted a sacrifice fly to score Elberfeld. Gabby Street fouled out to end the short-lived threat.
Connie’s boys dented the pan twice more in the bottom half of the seventh for the final margin of victory, 10-1. The Senators were never in the game – from opening pitch through the ninth inning. Frank Baker, Danny Murphy, and Jack Barry accounted for six of the eleven hits – with two hits apiece. Baker and Barry each scored twice. Walker wasn’t fooling anyone with his assortment of pitches – he only struck out two on the day – Morgan the victim both times.
The game got so far out of hand so early, that Mr. Mack pulled four of his stars for a breather and inserted seldom-used reserves for some much needed playing time. Amos Strunk replaced Rube Oldring in center field. Morrie Rath replaced Eddie Collins at second base. Stuffy McInnis for Baker at third, and Ben Houser took over for Harry Davis at the initial sack. Hopefully, Washington puts up more of a fight on Friday afternoon.
The box is as follows:
NOTES:
- Second baseman Eddie Collins, banged up in a home plate collision with Red Sox catcher Bill Carrigan on Tuesday, was expected to receive a few days off, he declared himself fit, however, and was back in the starting lineup.
- Center fielder Rube Oldring, also banged up, started in his usual spot. Both Collins and Oldring were later removed for a rest when the outcome of the game was not in doubt any longer.
- Cy Morgan’s start was his second of the season (April 21) – both complete games. He has pitched 18 innings, and allowed two earned runs on nine hits. This spells trouble for the rest of the American League as Mack has five formidable starters.
- A rare feature of Thursday’s game: Only TWO players from each team were credited with assists. Washington: Gabby Street (3) and Dixie Walker (5). Philadelphia: Eddie Collins (2) and Cy Morgan (4).
- The teams will play the second game of the series at 3:30 this afternoon. Walter Johnson (Senators) and Harry Krause (Athletics) are scheduled to start.
American League
Yesterday’s scores (May 5, 1910):
- Philadelphia 10, Washington 1
- Detroit 5, Chicago 3
- Cleveland 2, St. Louis 1 (10 innings)
- New York at Boston (rain)
National League
Yesterday’s scores (May 5, 1910):
- Philadelphia 9, New York 3
- Boston 1, Brooklyn 0
- Chicago 2, Pittsburgh 0
- Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 2
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