The A’s jump on Walter Johnson, scoring six runs in five innings, before relief comes in. Before exiting, Johnson hits his first major league homer, off Harry Krause, who will lead the AL in ERA with a sparkling 1.39.
New York and Pittsburgh play to a 2 – 2 tie, stopped after eight innings because of a drenching downpour. Off Christy Mathewson, Ham Hyatt hits his third pinch triple of the year, a record that won’t be matched till 1970. Outfielder Red Murray prevents a loss for Matty with one of the greatest catches ever seen at Forbes Field. With two outs and two on, Dots Miller belts a long line drive off Matty into the growing darkness. With everyone straining to follow the ball, a bolt of lightning flashes and Murray is seen making a bare-handed grab on the dead run to end the inning. Bill Klem then calls the game.
1909 – Chicago pitcher Ed Reulbach’s 14-game winning streak is stopped by the Giants, 5 – 2. New York has now won nine in a row, but Chicago will stop that tomorrow.
Umpire Tim Hurst is dropped by the American League following an investigation into the spitting incident in the August 3rd game between the Athletics and White Sox. His replacement is Mike Thompson, a former Georgetown University football player who has been a well-known football referee. Thompson tried to join the National Leagueumpiring staff last year but the roster was filled.
In Chicago‚ the Giants sweep a doubleheader with the Cubs to inch closer to 2nd place. New York wins the opener‚ 5 – 2‚ then Christy Mathewson sets down the Cubs‚ 3 – 0‚ for his 18th win.
John McGraw puts 49-year-old coach Arlie Latham at 2B in a 19 – 3 romp over St. Louis. Latham goes hitless but handles 2 assists. Cy Seymour scores 5 runs.
1909 – In a 3 – 0 Giant win at St. Louis‚ outfielder Bill O’Hara swipes second base‚ third base‚ and home in the 8th inning.
In St. Louis, the Giants shell Fred Beebe for 6 hits and 4 runs in the 1st inning, and Christy Mathewson coasts to a 7 – 1 win.
The Washington Nationals complete a marathon run of eight straight doubleheaders, a major-league record until the National League Braves top it in 1928.
Umpire Tim Hurst instigates a riot by spitting in the face of Athletics 2B Eddie Collins, who had questioned a call. Under police guard, Hurst is ushered off the field. This incident will eventually lead to Hurst’s banishment from baseball in two weeks.
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