1905 Chicago Cubs replay update game 2: Briggs shuts out the Braves

by Scott Fennessy

Boston, MA 7/19/1905

The Cubs play the Braves in game two of today’s double header.

Herb Briggs, who has struggled most of the year, but has pitched better than the rest while covering for Jake Weimer and Ed Reulbach.  Chick Fraser (left) goes for the Braves. Chick is another pitcher that is having a tremendous season but just cannot pick up the win. He comes in at 5-15 with a sub 3 era so this could end up a rather big win for the boys from Beantown.

Instead this turns out to be nothing like I expected.as Briggs and Fraser both match up in a pitcher’s duel. Briggs starts out very shaky, but keeps the Braves off the scoreboard through the first three but gets stronger with every inning. Fraser also struggles a bit in the first two innings then shuts the Cubs down as well. This game is scoreless through 5 and Frank Chance hits a one out grounder to Ed Abbaticchio at short and he pulls a “Dunston” and throws the ball into the stands just past the Braves dugout. Chance taking second on the error. Jimmy Slagle hits a grounder that puts the bruin skipper on third with two out and Jim Casey at the plate. Jim continues to hit well as he gets an RBI single that gives the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Joe Tinker pops out to end the inning. Chance stops by the mound on the way to first to start the 6th and says “there’s your run.” Briggs responds exactly as Chance hoped for. He retires the next 12 batters (14 in a row) to complete the shutout and gives the Cubs a desperately needed twin bill sweep.

And we have an urgent note from the wire, and yes, it’s official. Congratulations to George Winter of the Boston Red Sox on his first career no hitter. It is the 9th one of the year, and he becomes just the second B pitcher to record one. He walked one and struck out 4.

Giants 52 18 .743
Cubs 49 23 .681
Pirates 43 28 .606

[photo credit]