The Indians triumph over the A’s, 1 – 0, on Bob Kennedy’s homer off Sam Zoldak. It is Sam’s second 1 – 0 loss to the Tribe. Early Wynn wins his 15th to keep the Indians a game ahead of New York, 7 – 5 winners in 10 innings at St. Louis.
Del Wilber hits three solo round-trippers in the Phillies’ victory over Cincinnati in the nightcap at Shibe Park, making it the first time that a player has accounted for all the runs in a 3-0 game with home runs. The 32 year-old catcher will hit a total of only 19 round-trippers during his major league career.
A prolonged delay occurs at Olean’s (NY) Bradner Stadium when a skunk refuses to leave the infield during a Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York League game between Batavia and the hometown Oilers. The minor leaguers try to shoo the crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk) mammal away but result in the players running off the field with the uninvited guest staying put for an hour before moving on, allowing the contest to resume, albeit with a lot fewer fans in the stands.
“The two fine Italian arms of Branca and Furillo had a no-hitter running for eight innings” writes columnist Dick Young; in the 3rd inning, Ralph Branca’s no-hitter seems broken by a one-hop shot to RF by pitcher Mel Queen, but Carl Furillo guns him out at first. Branca, pitching on two days rest, finally gives up two Pirate hits in the 9th before winning, 5 – 0. In the nitecap the Pirates jump on Erv Palica for three runs in the first inning and hold on for a 5 – 3 win behind Bill Werle and Vern Law. Clyde McCullough is the “Big Un” with a two-run double and a two-run homer. The Pirates continue to be the only team with a season edge on the Dodgers.
The Giants win two more from the Cubs, including a 5 – 4, twelve-inning complete game victory for Larry Jansen. It is his 17th win. The Cubs score in the top of the 12th, but the Giants score two off Dutch Leonard to win. Behind Al Corwin’s pitching, the Giants take the nitecap, 6 – 3.
In the second game against the Yanks, veteran infielder Bert Haas hits a pinch homer in the 6th for the White Sox, his last major league at bat. The Sox will release the 37-year-old tomorrow. The Yanks win, 8 – 6, to remain a game behind the Indians. The Sox take the opener, 3 – 2, behind Saul Rogovin.
Rookie hurler Niles Jordan of the Phillies blanks the Reds, 2 – 0, in his first major league start. Jordan gives up three hits, the same number allowed by loser Willie Ramsdell. The Reds win the opener, 4 – 2, as Ewell Blackwell bests Robin Roberts.
The Pirates club the Dodgers, 12 – 11, to win the opener of two with the league leaders. Brooklyn chases Howie Pollet and takes a 9 – 2 lead but the Bucs roar back with eight runs in the 7th inning. Clyde King, unscored on in his last eight games, is the loser. The Dodgers load the bases in the 9th, and Murry Dickson walks pinch-hitter Cal Abrams to force in a run and make the score 12 – 11. But Carl Furillo and Pee Wee Reese fail to deliver. Pete Castiglione has two homers for the Pirates. Brooklyn wins the second game, 4 – 3, when Jackie Robinson homers in the 10th, off Ted Wilks. Andy Pafko homers in the 8th, off Bob Friend, and Preacher Roe (17-2) goes all the way.
At the Polo Grounds, Chuck Connors clubs his 2nd and last major league homer, a three-run shot off Sal Maglie in the 9th to give the visiting Cubs a temporary 4 – 4 tie. Wes Westrum then answers with his 2nd homer of the game, off reliever Walt Dubiel, and New York wins, 5 – 4. New York takes the nitecap, 5 – 1, to run their victory streak to 14 games. Jim Hearn tops Cal McLish. Willie Mays electrifies the crowd in the 6th by singling, advancing on a balk and a short fly, and stealing home. The Giants trail by six games.
8/25/1951: At the Polo Grounds two batters had homers rained out. Bobby Thomson homered off Cardinal Al Brazle with one out in the second inning and Stan Musial hit one off Al Corwin to lead off the third inning.
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