by Scott Fennessy
9/18/1905
Chicago, IL
The Cubs and Cardinals take the field in the tag end of today’s twin billing. Jim McDougal makes his first start of the year against Mordecai Brown goes for the Cubs. Brown looks sharp in the first as he retires the side in order. Meanwhile, Billy Maloney continues to heat up as he hits a single to center. For the second time today center fielder Bill Shannon misplays one and allows the runner to take second on an error. Two outs later with Frank Chance on second after a walk and stolen base and Maloney on third Art Hofman rips a single to right scoring both runners. McDougal gets the final out but it looks bad already for the visitors.
Brown continues to sparkle in the second, and the Cubs continue their torrid hitting of late as Kling gets his sixth straight hit with a one out single. McDougal looked to be working his way out of trouble with two out when Maloney got his second hit and stole second easily, and Jim Casey, who has really blossomed in the two spot gets a single to center plating both runners. Frank Schulte walked but the inning ended with no further damage. The Cubs now lead 4-0.
Brown is in top form as he was perfect through 4 and the Cubs pad the lead again after Casey hits a grounder that Danny Shay misplays. Defense has really hurt them today and given the way Brown is pitching this game is already over. Schulte gets a single, putting runners on the corners and Chance calls for the hit and run. He gets a slider low and outside, but goes with the pitch to score Casey and put runners on the corners again. McDougal shows some grit at last and stops the rally in its tracks, but the lead is now 5-0 Cubs.
Jimmy Burke, who is hitting about .180 breaks up the no hitter but they don’t score and the Cubs push the lead further out of sight in the 6th as Schulte draws a one out walk and Chance singles to right and runners are on the corners. Chance steals second and runners are on second and third with a tiring pitcher on the bump. McDougal’s curve ball gets past catcher Mike Grady and goes to the wall. Schulte scores and Chance moving to third. The redbird manager has seen enough and asks for the ball. Aloysius Egan comes in to face Art Hofman who hits a fly to deep left center field and it may clear the fence, but it is caught at the track for a sac fly as Chance scores with ease.
Egan looks strong as nothing happens until the 9th when the cards make another late push. Pinch hitter Art Hoelskoetter gets his second pinch hit of the double header, and follows with a rare steal. Shannon makes partial amends for his earlier error and singles to center scoring Hoelskoetter. Brown gets two quick outs to end the game and complete the sweep 7-1.
Brown allows just 3 hits and Chance was the big hitter of the game, although several players had good days. Chance was 3-4 with a walk, an RBI, 2 runs scored and 3 steals. The Cubs are just ½ game out now.
