Week 8 Results (06/02/1941 - 06/08/1941)

Monday, June 2, 1941

Transactions:

 

Boston (AL) infielder Tom Carey was injured (?) on 06/01/1941. Boston (AL) outfielder Stan Spence was injured (?) on 06/01/1941

 

Chicago infielder Bob Kennedy was injured (?) on 06/01/1941

 

Philadelphia (NL) outfielder Chuck Klein was injured (?) on 06/01/1941

 

Cincinnati pitcher Monte Pearson was injured (?) on 06/01/1941

 

Cleveland catcher George Susce made his Season Finale on 06/01/1941

 

Boston (NL) infielder Whitey Wietelmann returned to play on 06/03/1941

 

Lou Gehrig

Note: New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Link). Gehrig's was only 37 years old at the time, having played his last game just two years previous on April 30, 1939, and his famous goodbye speech at Griffith Stadium was on July 4, 1941. Because he was still so young and because his demise was so quick, his death was quite a shock to baseball and to the nation at large. Many players in 1941 had played either with him or against him at some point in his storied career.

Washington 7 Chicago (AL) (H) 5 (10)

 

In a game that featured six double plays, four by Washington, the Nationals grabbed a 5-3 lead with three runs in the top of the eighth, only to see the White Sox tie it back up when first baseman Joe Kuhel hit a two-out two-run single in the bottom of the ninth. Washington came right back with two runs in the top of the tenth and Alex Carrasquel (3-0, 4.11) made the lead stick this time for the win.

 

New York (AL) 3 Cleveland (H) 2

 

Shortstop Lou Boudreau led off the bottom of the first with a homerun and then second baseman Ray Mack added a solo homerun in the second to give the Indians an early 2-0 lead, but then the Yankees came back with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take the lead back. Marius Russo (7-0, 3.08) outfought Bob Feller (10-2, 2.64) to claim the tough win in Cleveland.

 

Boston (AL) 13 Detroit (H) 2

 

The Red Sox blew open a close game with three runs in the fifth, and then they ran away with it by scoring three more times in the eighth and then again in the ninth. Ted Williams went 3-for-3 (.534) with three walks, scoring four runs, driving in two, and hitting homerun #13. Joe Dobson (3-1, 3.14) walked eight but induced two double plays on his way to the win.

 

Pittsburgh 4 Boston (NL) (H) 1

 

The Braves started off the bottom of the first with a single, a steal of second, and then an RBI single, but that was all the runs that Johnny Lanning (2-0, 1.04) would allow today. The Pirates scored three times in the second to take the lead, a two-run double by Vince DiMaggio being the big hit,  and then added an insurance run in the seventh.

 

St. Louis (NL) 6 Brooklyn (H) 2

 

The Dodgers scored twice in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead, but they couldn’t hold the lead as the Cardinals stormed back with five runs I the top of the sixth, with two-run singles form first baseman Johnny Hopp and center fielder Terry Moore proving to be the big hits. Ernie White (4-0, 0.90) held Brooklyn to only four hits on the day and took home the win.

 

Cincinnati 14 New York (NL) (H) 2 (Grand Slam!)

 

The Giants led 2-1 after the first, but after that it was all Cincinnati as the Reds scored six times in the fifth, the big hit being a grand slam by catcher Ernie Lombardi. And if that wasn't enough, Cincinnati then put up a five-spot in the top of the sixth, making it easy for Elmer Riddle (3-0, 2.29) to go all the way in his first start of the season.

 

Chicago (NL) 7 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 5

 

Johnny Podgajny (1-4, 8.63) was cruising with six scoreless innings under his belt and a 3-0 lead but then in the seventh he couldn’t get anybody out and after the dust cleared the Cubs had scored six times. Larry French (5-3, 3.24) struggled at times but kept it close and then Vern Olsen came in to close it out.

 

Tuesday, June 3, 1941

 

Transactions:

 

Chicago (AL) pitcher Bill Dietrich was injured (?) on 06/02/1941

 

New York (AL) 13 Detroit (H) 1

 

The Tigers were looking to have a much-improved month of June but then the Yankees scored five runs in the top of the first and then added three more in the second, allowing Steve Peek (2-0, 3.99) to walk away with the easy win. Right fielder Tommy Henrich went 4-for-6 on the day with two runs scored, four RBI's, and two doubles to spark the New York offense.

 

Cecil Travis

Washington 9 St. Louis (AL) (H) 4

The Browns were able to tie the score with two runs in the bottom of the first but after that it was all Washington as Dutch Leonard (3-5, 3.43) shut down the St. Louis attack and the Nationals came back to run away with it. Third baseman Cecil Travis had a 4-for-5 day with two runs scored, two RBI's, and two doubles in the middle of the Nationals batting order.

 

Pittsburgh 7 Boston (NL) (H) 1

 

The Pirates managed to climb back to .500 with their win in Boston yesterday and they did not wish to regress, so to that end they scored three times in the second and then rolled to an easy win. Ken Heintzelman (3-2, 2.45) gave up eleven hits on the day, but only allowed one walk and was able to stay out of trouble for the most part.

 

St. Louis (NL) 5 Brooklyn (H) 3 (10)

 

St. Louis was cruising to a 3-1 victory when Brooklyn center fielder Pete Reiser spoiled their plans with a two-out two-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth, with the game eventually moving into extra innings. Coaker Triplett, having just been inserted into left field, made his only at-bat of the game count as he hit a two-run homerun in the top of the tenth to put the Cardinals ahead to stay.

 

Cincinnati 3 New York (NL) (H) 2

 

The Reds added a crucial third run in the top of the eighth to take a 3-1 lead and that turned out to be necessary as the Giants scored into the bottom of the ninth, but Paul Derringer (4-7, 2.68) was able to escape danger and come away with the win.

 

Chicago (NL) 7 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 3

 

The Cubs led 4-0 after the top of the fifth and Bill Lee (2-7, 3.82) was able to keep the Phillies at bay and pick up the win. Philadelphia defenders committed three errors on the day, which did not help their cause.

 

Wednesday, June 4, 1941

 

Transactions:

 

Cleveland infielder Oscar Grimes returned to play on 06/05/1941. Cleveland infielder Rusty Peters returned to play on 06/05/1941

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 3 Philadelphia (AL) 2

 

Thornton Lee (8-2, 1.01) continued his hot start to season by shutting down the visiting A's, the only blemish on his day being center fielder Sam Chapman who hit a homerun and triple and drove in both Philadelphia runs.

 

Washington 5 St. Louis (AL) (H) 0

 

The Nationals scored single runs in five different innings and Red Anderson (3-1, 6.05) had his best outing of the season by going all the way for the shutout victory.

 

St. Louis (NL) 5 Boston (NL) (H) 4 (16)

 

In a game of missed opportunities, good pitching, errors, and injuries, the Cardinals finally came out on top in the top of the sixteenth when catcher Don Padgett singled home shortstop Marty Marion with the eventual game-winner. Sam Nahem (4-0, 0.82) allowed one run in seven innings of relief and got the win.

 

Thursday, June 5, 1941

 

Transactions:

 

St. Louis (NL) first baseman Johnny Mize was injured (?) on 06/04/1941

 

New York (NL) outfielder Frank Demaree returned to play on 06/06/1941

 

St. Louis (AL) manager Fred Haney was replaced by Luke Sewell on 06/05/1941

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 6 Philadelphia (AL) 3

 

The White Sox pushed across two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth and Eddie Smith (8-1, 1.88) went all the way for the win. Chicago catcher Mike Tresh was thrown at home in the fifth trying to score from second on a sacrifice fly but was able to score from first on a double in the eighth.

 

Boston (AL) 14 Cleveland (H) 7

 

The first seven Boston batters reached base in a six-run first, but the Indians fought back, getting the score to 6-5 after the third and then at 9-7 after the seventh. Late inning homeruns from Ted Williams (14), Joe Cronin (4), and Jimmie Foxx (10) all helped seal the win for Mickey Harris (4-0, 3.35).

 

New York (AL) 17 Detroit (H) 0

 

New York scored seven runs in the top of the first, knocking out Hal Newhouser (0-8, 10.50) and giving Atley Donald (4-1, 3.09) a more than sufficient lead for the day. Donald shut out the hapless Tigers on only five hits.

 

Jimmy Pofahl

Washington 10 St. Louis (AL) (H) 4

The Nationals got off to a fast start with five runs in the top of the first, the big hit being a two-out two-run triple by weak-hitting shortstop Jimmy Pofahl. The Browns tried several comebacks, but Sid Hudson (8-3, 2.65) and the Washington bullpen held them off.

 

Friday, June 6, 1941

 

Transactions:

 

Cleveland outfielder Beau Bell was injured (?) on 06/05/1941. Cleveland infielder Oscar Grimes was injured (?) on 06/05/1941

 

Philadelphia (AL) pitcher Nels Potter returned to the mound on 06/07/1941

 

Brooklyn third baseman Lew Riggs returned to play on 06/07/1941

 

Washington outfielder Johnny Welaj returned to play on 06/07/1941

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 8 Boston (AL) 7 (10)

 

The Red Sox built up a 7-0 lead after the fourth and were cruising to another win when the White Sox finally scored a couple of runs, then scored a few more, and then in the bottom of the ninth two quick outs seemed to seal the deal but Chicago quickly loaded the bases and a pinch-hit two-run single from newly acquired Ben Chapman tied the score at 7-7. Again, in the tenth the White Sox were able to load the bases and this time a sacrifice fly from center fielder Mike Kreevich scored first baseman Joe Kuhel with the game-winner.

 

Cleveland (H) 11 Philadelphia (AL) 1

 

Bob Feller (11-2, 2.52) held the A's to only five hits and went all the way for his league leading eleventh win. The Indians offense scored three times in the first and led 6-0 after the third and then added on from there. Center fielder Roy Weatherly led the offense with a 3-for-5 day that included two runs scored, three RBI's, and a double.

 

Washington 7 Detroit (H) 2

 

The Tigers accumulated nine hits and six walks off Ken Chase (2-5, 6.05) but couldn’t pull the trigger when they had opportunities to score, and the Washington hurler went all the way for the win. Detroit now has ten consecutive losses as they appear to be stuck on eight wins for the season.

 

St. Louis (NL) 4 Boston (NL) (H) 0

 

The Cardinals woke up this morning to find themselves with a 4.5 game lead over the suddenly struggling Dodgers. Today, St. Louis won their sixth in a row as Lon Warneke (6-4, 2.69) threw a complete-game shutout, the big hit being a two-run single off the bat of left fielder Don Padgett in the first inning.

 

Brooklyn (H) 5 Chicago (NL) 3

 

The Brooklyn offense has been sputtering the last few weeks following its hot stat to the season but Dolph Camilli, the big bat in that hot start, got back on the hit parade with a 3-for-3 day that included two runs scored, three RBI's (39), a double and two homeruns (12). Kirby Higbe (7-6, 1.94) gave up eleven hits on the day but held on to get the tough home win over the visiting Cubs.

 

Pittsburgh 12 New York (NL) (H) 0 (GM 1)

 

Max Butcher (3-5, 4.66) dominated the Giants by going all the way for the complete-game shutout. Center fielder Vince DiMaggio had a big day at the plate for the Pirates as he went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, and four RBI's, including a three-run homerun in the fifth that essentially put the game out of reach.

 

Pittsburgh 17 New York (NL) (H) 8 (GM 2)

 

The Pirates punished the Giants in Game Two as well as New York actually had more hits (15-14), but Pittsburgh collected thirteen walks on the day to make the difference. Pittsburgh led 5-1 after the third but then scored eight times in the fourth to lock up the doubleheader sweep as Vince DiMaggio had his second homerun of the day and added three more RBI's to his seasons tally.

 

Note: This means that Pittsburgh has played 39 games this season and will be the last team to reach the 40 games mark with tomorrow's game.

 

Cincinnati 10 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 4

 

The Reds scored four times in the second, but the Phillies kept clawing back into it, at least until the top of the ninth when Cincinnati scored five times to gain an insurmountable lead. Catcher Ernie Lombardi had a 4-for-5 day and had the big hit in the fateful ninth, a two-out three-run homerun.

 

Saturday, June 7, 1941

 

Transactions:

 

Brooklyn outfielder Joe Medwick was injured (?) on 06/06/1941

 

Washington pitcher Bill Zuber was injured (?) on 06/06/1941

 

Cincinnati infielder Bobby Mattick returned to play on 06/08/1941

 

Chicago (NL) pitcher Wimpy Quinn was acquired from Los Angeles (PCL) before 06/08/1941 (Major League Debut)

 

Chicago (AL) catcher Tom Turner returned to play on 06/08/1941

 

Boston (AL) 6 Chicago (AL) (H) 4

 

The Red Sox outhomered the White Sox 3-1 and managed to hold on for a tight win despite being outhit 12-9. Jack Wilson (1-3, 9.30) worked himself out of several pinches, and two timely double plays helped, and went all the way for the win.

 

Philadelphia (AL) 12 Cleveland (H) 6

 

The A's scored four times in the top of the first, led 5-3 after the fourth, but then put up a five-spot in the fifth and ran away with an easy win from there. Veteran Bump Hadley (2-4, 6.17) got the win as five Philadelphia players had multiple RBI's.

 

Washington 5 Detroit (H) 0

 

The Nationals added to the Tigers woes when Steve Sundra (6-1, 3.27) threw a complete-game shutout, extending Detroit's losing streak to eleven games. Catcher Jake Early hit a two-run homerun in the top of the second and the Nationals never looked back.

 

New York (AL) 3 St. Louis (AL) (H) 1

 

The Yankees plated two in the second and Lefty Gomez (7-1, 2.69) and Spud Chandler made that slender lead stand up for the win. The Browns had their opportunities, but two inning ending double plays quickly snuffed them out.

 

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

 

A slow start to this game but an exciting finish and the Braves broke open in the bottom of the eighth when center fielder Lloyd Waner singled catcher Phil Masi to give Boston a 2-1 lead. That lead didn’t last long as left fielder Lou Novikoff immediately tied the game at 2-2 with a solo homerun and then the Cubs soon scored another run to take a 3-2 lead and Claude Passeau (6-5, 1.75) finished what he started for the come-from-behind win.

 

Cincinnati 8 Brooklyn (H) 3

 

Bucky Walters (7-3, 2.88) didn’t allow a run until the eighth inning when the Reds were already up 8-0. First baseman Frank McCormick hit a two-run homerun (4) in the third to put Cincinnati up 3-0 and they were off and running from there.

 

Terry Moore

St. Louis (NL) 6 New York (NL) (H) 5 (12)

St. Louis built an early lead, but their vaunted pitching staff couldn't hold it as the Giants scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 5-5, and the game eventually moved into extra innings. In the top of the twelfth right fielder Enos Slaughter tripled home center fielder Terry Moore with the lead run, although Slaughter was then thrown out trying to stretch the triple into a homerun. Ira Hutchinson (1-1, 2.16) pitched two perfect innings and got the win.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 8 Pittsburgh 7

 

The Pirates led 5-1 after the top of the seventh but their bullpen imploded as the Phillies scored twice in the seventh and then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Left fielder Danny Litwhiler went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBI's, a double, and a triple to lead the offense and Bill Crouch (5-1, 3.71) picked up the win in relief.

 

Sunday, June 8, 1941

 

Transactions:

 

Boston (AL) infielder Odell Hale (Team Finale 06/07/1941) was placed on Waivers after 06/07/1941

 

Cincinnati first baseman Eddie Shokes was acquired as a Free Agent before 06/09/1941 (Major League Debut)

 

Note: It's a doubleheader Sunday as there are six twin bills on the schedule, three in each league. On this day in 1941 Ted Williams would have his 23-game hitting streak come to an end, while Joe DiMaggio would extend his to 24 games.

 

Chicago (AL) (H) 2 Boston (AL) 1 (GM 1)

 

Two veteran hurlers met in Game One and Ted Lyons (5-2, 3.43) got the better of Lefty Grove (4-3, 3.96) as both teams scored a run in the first but then catcher Mike Tresh doubled home left fielder Myril Hoag with a two-out double in the bottom of the eighth for the game-winner.

 

Boston (AL) 6 Chicago (AL) (H) 2 (GM 2)

 

Mike Ryba (2-3, 4.89) proved to be the hero of the game as he pitched eight-plus innings of relief, following an injury to Boston starter Dick Newsome. The Red Sox had only eight hits but they bunched them with a three-run fourth and a two-run sixth to get the win over Thornton Lee (8-3, 1.35).

 

Cleveland (H) 8 Philadelphia (AL) 1 (GM 1)

 

The first time through the lineup the Cleveland bats were quiet but then the scored three times in the fourth and then they followed that up with a five-run fifth, the big hit being a three-run homerun from second baseman Ray Mack. Veteran hurler Mel Harder (3-4, 4.01) went all the way for the Game One win.

 

Cleveland (H) 3 Philadelphia (AL) 2 (GM 2)

 

The Indians pushed across two runs after two outs in the bottom of the sixth and Al Milnar (4-8, 7.13) held on to the lead from there and got the Game Two win for the doubleheader sweep.

 

Detroit (H) 3 Washington 2

 

Three times Detroit scored a run and twice Washington came back to tie, but finally the Tigers bullpen was able to hold a lead and end their eleven-game losing streak and put win #9 up on the board. Hal Newhouser (1-8, 9.88) went three innings in relief and picked up the win.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 5 New York (AL) 1 (GM 1)

 

Right fielder Joe Grace smacked a two-run homerun in the bottom of the third to give the Browns an early 4-1 lead and then Elden Auker (5-3, 4.37) took over and did the rest for the Game One win.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 10 New York (AL) 4 (GM 2)

 

Quite a treat for the lowly Browns fans as they watched the powerful Yankees get swept in a doubleheader. Center fielder Chet Laabs provided the offense with a 2-for-day that included two runs scored, five RBI's, and two doubles and Bob Harris (4-4, 5.81) tired a little at the end but hung on for the win.

 

Bill Lee

Chicago (NL) 5 Boston (NL) (H) 1 (GM 1)

The Cubs hadn't scored until they put up two runs in the sixth but then they built a sufficient lead to allow Bill Lee (3-7, 3.52) to easily go all the way for the Game One win. Both teams had seven hits in the game, but the Chicago hits proved to be timelier.

 

Boston (NL) (H) 4 Chicago (NL) 0 (GM 2)

 

Al Javery (2-0, 3.13) held the Cubs to only four hits and went all the way for the shutout victory in Game Two. Boston took an early 1-0 lead like in the previous game but didn’t lose it this time and then tacked on three runs in the eighth for some much-needed padding.

 

Brooklyn (H) 6 Cincinnati 1

 

Whit Wyatt (10-0, 1.59) didn’t allow a run until the eighth inning and went all the way to improve his record to 10-0. The Dodgers didn’t score until the sixth inning, and then hit three sacrifice flies to build their lead, two of them coming off the bat of right fielder Dixie Walker.

 

New York (NL) (H) 11 St. Louis (NL) 4 (GM 1)

 

The Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the first, but the Giants quickly came back by scoring four times in the second, and by the bottom of the fifth they were up 8-2. Hal Schumacher got the Game One win and center fielder and lead-off hitter Johnny Rucker led the offense with a 4-for-5 day that included three runs scored, three RBI's, and two doubles.

 

New York (NL) (H) 2 St. Louis (NL) 1 (GM 2)

 

A tight one as Carl Hubbell (2-5, 4.68) outdueled Mort Cooper (6-2, 2.78) for the Game Two win and the doubleheader sweep for the Giants.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 4 Pittsburgh 0 (GM 1)

 

A three-run homerun by left fielder Danny Litwhiler in the bottom of the third was the big hit in Game One and Tommy Hughes (3-6, 4.72) took that lead, held the Pirates to two hits, and went all the way for the shutout victory.

 

Pittsburgh 6 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 3 (GM 2)

 

Pittsburgh shortstop Arky Vaughan hit a solo homerun in the first, doubled in two runs in the fifth, and then tripled home a run in the ninth and Pittsburgh earned a doubleheader split in Philadelphia. Phillies first baseman Nick Etten hit a three-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth to make it close, but it was too little too late.