At Ebbets Field, the Dodgers sweep the Braves, winning both games, 7 – 2, behind Carl Erskine and Clem Labine. Roy Campanella collects six straight hits, including his 30th and 31st homers, before being stopped.
In a Labor Day doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, the Phils’ Robin Roberts stops New York, 6 – 3, in the opener. The Giants blow a 3 – 0 1st-inning lead when homers by Richie Ashburn and Bill Nicholson bring the Phils back. Dave Koslo salvages the second game, winning, 3 – 1, over Niles Jordan. Willie Mays makes another rookie error in the 2nd. After an apparent inside-the-park home run, Phils 3B Tommy Brown appeals, and Mays is called out for failing to touch third base. He is credited with a double.
Newly-acquired pitcher Johnny Sain tosses a 5-hitter to beat the A’s, 3 – 1. The A’s top the Yankees in the nitecap, 3 – 2.
Tony Ponce of the Phoenix Senators (Southwest International League) hurls his 38th consecutive complete game in beating Yuma, 4 – 2, for his 25th win of the season.
Ken Raffensberger fires a one-hitter at the Cubs to win, 7 – 0, and gain a split for the Reds. The only hit is a 3rd-inning scratch single by Eddie Miksis that arguably would have rolled foul. Bob Rush shuts out the Reds in the nitecap to top Howie Fox, 3 – 0.
The Cleveland Indians’ Harry Simpson, Al Rosen and Luke Easter hit consecutive home runs in the 1st inning, as Cleveland beats the Browns, 5 – 1.
Don Mueller hits two more home runs, giving him five in two days, to tie a major league mark. His second homer, again off Phil Haugstad, comes a minute after he learns he is a new father. Bobby Thomson adds his 25th homer and Jim Hearn beats the Dodgers, 11 – 2. After Mueller’s second homer, Haugstad decks Thomson and hits Willie Mays with a pitch, evoking a warning from umpire Al Barlick. Barlick had earlier thumbed Ralph Branca and Dick Williams in the 5th inning, Don Newcombe in the 6th when he objected to a call, and Jackie Robinson and rookie Clem Labine. Chuck Dressen then clears his bench to avoid any more thumbings. The Giants move to five games behind Brooklyn.
On September 1, 1951, Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem dies at the age of 77. Known as “The Old Arbitrator,” Klem excelled so much at calling balls and strikes that he worked exclusively as a home plate umpire for the first 16 years of his major league career…
1951 – OF Don Mueller hits 3 home runs in an 8 – 1 Giants win over the Dodgers. His first homer comes against Ralph Branca‚ coming off two consecutive shutouts‚ and Mueller hits his 3rd home run‚ a two-run shot, off Phil Haugstad. Sal Maglie is the winner‚ giving up 7 singles and hits Jackie Robinson on the wrist in the 3rd to force home the only Dodger run. Whitey Lockman gets plunked twice for New York. Al Dark and Eddie Stanky combine in the 5th on a triple play off a liner by Pee Wee Reese.
The A’s topple the Indians, 6 – 2, beating Bob Feller and knocking the Tribe into 2nd place, a half game behind the idle Yankees. Morrie Martin and Carl Scheib combine for the win.
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