A's vs White Sox
September 13
White Sox 2, Athletics 1
The Philadelphia Athletics just do not play the spoiler role well. Their chances were slim going into this series and now they're practically non-existent. Today, their bats simply would not wake up against Ted Carson (8-5, 4.56), a career 17-game winner with serious control issues that will likely prevent him from ever being a really great pitcher. He was great enough today, scattering 5 hits through 9 innings despite not being able to strike out a single batter. His opponent, the vastly superior Al Montieth (19-10, 2.68) gave up just 1 more hit than his opponent but added 5 bases on balls to that total.
The White Sox next travel to Boston for a 4-game series, then face the Yankees in a 3-game midweek showdown that will probably decide the fate of the American League pennant. The A's have more or less wrapped up 3rd place money and that's about it for the 1930 and '31 AL champs.
Other Key Games
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Yankees 8, Tigers 5
WP: Johnny Watson (4-1)
LP: Curtis Ballentine (1-4)
The Yankees got a victory they desperately needed, as Watson (4-1, 1.98) and Paul Williams (3-4, 2.64) combined for 4 innings of relief to get one past the Tigers. Detroit, who once looked like a dark horse contender for the pennant, now needs 8 wins in their last 12 games just to finish .500.
Reds 4, Phillies 3
The Reds beat the Phillies for the 11th time this year, clinching a .500 or better against all teams in the league. RF Brad Box (.315, 19, 107) singled in CF Gustavo Castro (.303, 10, 50) in the 9th to win it for Roman Loomis (22-4, 2.20) and spoil an otherwise solid debut for Philadelphia's Kent May (0-1, 4.15).
Cubs 5, Giants 2
Although it wasn't entirely surprising to the writers that Ryan Rush (19-10, 3.36) laid an egg in this one - he after all has just 16 strikeouts in 278 innings pitched - it came at a really bad time for his team. C Earl Schell's (.286, 0, 5) 2-run double in the 3rd proved to be the capper in this one, as the Gothams fall half a game behind the Reds.
Other Notes
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Reds SS Augusto Gonzales (.303, 7, 62) sprained his ankle but will be back in time for the postseason (if there is any for Cincy, that is).
Code:
American League Standings
Team W L PCT GB Home Away 1Run M# Streak
Chicago White Sox 89 53 0.627 - 46-29 43-24 21-21 10 W1
New York Yankees 84 56 0.600 4 45-21 39-35 24-25 W1
Philadelphia Athletics 76 63 0.547 11.5 36-29 40-34 25-21 L1
Boston Red Sox 70 71 0.496 18.5 37-31 33-40 22-30 L2
Detroit Tigers 69 73 0.486 20 36-37 33-36 21-15 L1
Washington Senators 67 73 0.479 21 32-34 35-39 21-22 W4
Cleveland Indians 55 87 0.387 34 31-43 24-44 19-14 L4
St. Louis Browns 54 88 0.380 35 28-49 26-39 17-22 W2
National League Standings
Team W L PCT GB Home Away 1Run M# Streak
Cincinnati Reds 94 48 0.662 - 44-24 50-24 22-21 13 W3
New York Giants 93 48 0.660 0.5 51-22 42-26 27-15 L3
Philadelphia Phillies 79 61 0.564 14 42-31 37-30 26-14 L1
Brooklyn Dodgers 63 77 0.450 30 30-44 33-33 16-19 W1
St Louis Cardinals 63 78 0.447 30.5 27-37 36-41 21-25 L2
Chicago Cubs 63 79 0.444 31 34-33 29-46 22-23 W1
Pittsburgh Pirates 62 79 0.440 31.5 27-43 35-36 15-23 W2
Boston Braves 47 94 0.333 46.5 24-51 23-43 17-26 L1