Monk Dubiel starts a streak of 18 straight wins over the Chicago Cubs

Monk Dubiel starts a streak of 18 straight wins over the Chicago Cubs

The Cubs knock the Phillies out of a tie for first place, sweeping a doubleheder, 8 – 0 and 10 – 3. The Cubs lose Phil Cavarretta when he is hit by a Ken Johnson pitch in the first game, fracturing his forearm. Hank Sauer takes over at 1B. Walt Dubiel fires the shutout and Doyle Lade is the complete game winner in the second game. The loss in the second contest goes to Bob Miller, the first defeat for the rookie after eight straight wins. Ex-Bruin Russ Meyer loses the first game after defeating the Cubs five straight times. The Mad Monk, the greatest ever Cubs killer, will win his next 17 decisions against Chicago before losing on May 11, 1955.

Richie Ashburn hits his first home run

Richie Ashburn hits his first home run

Richie Ashburn hits his first major league homer‚ a leadoff inside-the-park home run‚ off Thornton Lee’s third pitch. It runs Ashburn’s hitting streak to 18 games but it’s the Phils’ only run‚ as the Giants win‚ 7 – 1. Bill Rigney leads off the 1st‚ 3rd‚ and 5th innings with hits‚ while Sid Gordon adds a three-run homer in the 5th. Lee is a complete-game winner over another ex-American League hurler‚ Walt Dubiel.