Sox Tie A's Amidst Ejections (4/16/15)

After the Philadelphia Athletics won on Opening Day and the Boston Red Sox took the rematch yesterday, the rubber match didn't give a clear cut winner. The two teams fought to a 6-6 tie as guys were getting thrown out left and right before the game was called. The prevailing issue that's the A's are far less formidable now that Home Run Baker, Jack Barry, Eddie Collins and Chief Bender are gone. The Sox could have the inside track to the pennant this season if it all goes well.

                                                   The repeat champion A's are gone

As for the game, there was a lot of offense and not much pitching. 20 year old George Ruth couldn't get it done but the offense picked him up big time. The Sox bolted to a 6-1 lead on the backs of Larry Gardner, Duffy Lewis, Heinie Wagner, Everett Scott and Tris Speaker. Then Ruth got hammered in the fifth inning as the A's fought back to make it 6-5. Then Dutch Leonard, Smoky Joe Wood, Ernie Shore, Wally Rehg and Raymond Haley were all thrown out of the game for running out onto the field.

                                  "Hey Smoky Joe Wood yer outta here!" - Tommy Connolly

When action resumed, Ralph Comstock gave up the tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Carl Mays, fresh off his opening day win, pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the tie. There was no winner or loser in this one.

There is no Jackass or Hero of the Night since the game ended in a tie.



The Good:

Harry Hooper walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances and scored 2 runs.

Heinie Wagner was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Dick Hoblitzell was 1 for 1 with 2 walks, a stolen base and a run scored.

Everett Scott was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Carl Mays pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Bill Carrigan was 0 for 3.

Olaf Henriksen was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Hal Janvrin was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Tris Speaker was 0 for 5 but drove in a run, stole a base and scored.

Duffy Lewis was 0 for 2 but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Larry Gardner was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.

Babe Ruth got lit up for 5 runs and got knocked out in the 5th inning however he was 1 for 2 at the plate and scored a run.

Ralph Comstock allowed the tying run to score in four innings pitched although he walked in his only at-bat.



Honorable Mention:

Pinch Thomas caught the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

If the A's are going down this year, the Sox may be the ones to beat them. It took a near perfect effort from Herb Pennock for the Sox not to have taken 2 out of 3 in Philly to start the year. The Sox need Joe Wood to return to 1912 form and for Leonard and Shore to have good years. Anything else is a bonus really. Tomorrow the Sox travel to our nation's capital to play the Washington Senators. Rube Foster makes his season debut opposite Jim Boehling.