1905 Chicago Cubs replay update: Weimer wins in a terrific pitcher’s duel

by Scott Fennessy

The Cubs face the Dodgers in a double header today. In his pre-game interview manager Frank Chance was quoted as “very disappointed” in Mordecai Brown’s performance yesterday, and even more unhappy with the hitters for their inability to do anything against one of the league’s worst starters.

When asked about any lineup changes he bristled a bit and stated “I don’t need to change the lineup, I need the players in it to start hitting!” While he did not mention names, he was clearly indicating his frustration with Frank Schulte, Jim Casey, and Jimmy Slagle’s recent slides.

Game 1 features Elmer Stricklett for Brooklyn. He has been one of the brightest lights in an otherwise forgettable season. He comes into this game at 10-15 record and a 3.44 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. Jake Weimer goes for the Cubs. He has been superb all season, and is 23-3 with a 1.65 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP!

Harry Gessler leads off with a single to right. Harry has been a good player for the Dodgers so far and he steals on John O’Neill with ease and Weimer is in a jam already. However, Jake immediately takes control and gets the team’s best hitter, Jimmy Sheckard, and gets him to ground to Johnny Evers at short to hold the runner at second, and then cruises through the rest of the inning with no score.

The Cubs use the method that had them breezing through the first two months of the season, and has been noticeably absent of late to get on top early. Billy Maloney gets a sharp single over third and steals second off of Lew Ritter. Billy has had a tough month or so, but has managed a five game hit streak now. Johnny Evers, another player that has started to fade rips another single to score Maloney, and he too steals second. Schulte then grounds right at Stricklett who keeps Johnny at second and now Chance, who is among the league leaders in most categories gets a soft single to right and Evers scores the second run of the game.

Casey draws a walk and runners are now on first and second when Slagle hits a liner that drops perfectly between Harry Lumley and Sheckard and skips toward the wall. Slagle pulls into second with his 8th double of the year and 2 RBI and the lead is at 4 and with Weimer looking good in the first this may already be over. Joe Tinker draws a walk to keep the pressure on, but Stricklett gets the last two hitters and the Cubs bat around in the first and finish the frame with a 4-0 lead.

Weimer continues to dominate, and Stricklett settles in after a harsh first inning and a pitcher’s duel begins. Neither team scores again and the Cubs win this 4-0. A tip of the cap to Stricklett for settling down, but that wild first was enough to lose when facing a pitcher of Weimer’s caliber. Thirdbaseman Charlie Batch suffered a sprained ankle when O’Neill slid into third in the 6th inning. He will miss the next two games.

While it was a relief to see several struggling players get hits, Jake Weimer was the star again. Allowing just two hits, and prior to Gessler’s 9th inning walk had retired 19 straight hitters. It was his ninth shutout of the season. With the Giants loss to the Cardinals, the Cubs have suddenly gotten back into this and are just 4 ½ games out!