1896 – Paced by Joe Kelley’s 5 runs‚ Baltimore defeats Washington, 21 – 16. Each team hits exactly the same number of singles as its run total‚ with the 37 singles establishing a still-standing major league record for a 9-inning game. Baltimore star John McGraw makes his first appearance of the season when he pinch-hits in the 3rd. McGraw has been sidelined with typhoid fever. The New York Clipper box score for the game credits the Orioles with only 20 singles (plus 3 doubles and a home run)‚ not 21; thus, the record claimed for singles in this game may be suspect.

This Day In Baseball

On August 8, 1896 — 1896 – Paced by Joe Kelley’s 5 runs‚ Baltimore defeats Washington, 21 – 16. Each team hits exactly the same number of singles as its run total‚ with the 37 singles establishing a still-standing major league record for a 9-inning game. Baltimore star John McGraw makes his first appearance of the season when he pinch-hits in the 3rd. McGraw has been sidelined with typhoid fever. The New York Clipper box score for the game credits the Orioles with only 20 singles (plus 3 doubles and a home run)‚ not 21; thus, the record claimed for singles in this game may be suspect.

Source:
Baseball Reference August 8
National Pastime
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
Replay The Game