Gear Outduels Young, Senators Beat Pilgrims (5/14/01)

Talk about going from one extreme to the other. After spending the first week of may beating the daylights out of American League teams averaging nine runs a game, the Boston Pilgrims have now lost three games in a row to the Washington Senators averaging about three runs a game. Today it was Dale Gear that shut down the Pilgrims, the same Gear that hadn't pitched since 1896 up until two weeks ago. Meanwhile Cyclone Young (3-2, 3.59 ERA was let down by his bats and defense AGAIN. Once again the Pilgrims committed another three errors, the unearned run Young allowed being the difference in the game. The Senators scored all their runs in the top of the second inning but only Tommy Dowd and Buck Freeman were able to drive runs in. The Pilgrims and Senators actually had eight hits apiece but the unearned run was just enough as the Senators handed Boston their third straight defeat 3-2 at the Huntington Avenue Grounds.

                                                Madame Sherwood laughs at the Pilgrims

Jackass of the Night is Charlie Hemphill. He was 0 for 4 and failed to drive in Tommy Dowd twice in a one run game.

                                                              Hemphill The Jackass

The Good:

Tommy Dowd was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Jimmy Collins was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Cyclone Young pitched great. He pitched a complete game 8 hitter allowing just 2 earned runs.

The Bad:

Ossee Schrecongost was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Buck Freeman was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in a run.

Charlie Jones was just 1 for 4.

Freddy Parent was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Hobe Ferris was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Lou Criger was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

So much for that high powered offense. The Boston bats are back to doing nothing and making errors left and right. The Pilgrims must have the very worst defense in the league and its cost them a number of games now. Who knows what the outcomes of these games would be if they just cut down on the errors. Today in particular that third run was the difference in the game. Give credit to Dale Gear for shutting the Pilgrims down but the game could have been at least a tie if the Pilgrims just stop kicking the ball all over the field, Parent and Ferris in particular. If your double-play combo can't get it done, what are you going to do? Especially if they're ice cold at the plate to boot. Once again just have to tip your cap to the Senators and fight them again tomorrow. The loss drops the Pilgrims to 7-8, 5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League. The Pilgrims look to avoid a four game sweep tomorrow against the Senators when they send George Cuppy (1-1) to the mound against Watty Lee of the Senators. The game begins at 2:00 PM at the Huntington Avenue Grounds.