October 12, 1903
Pittsburgh, PA
It’s a rematch from game 1 as Cy Young and Charles Phillippe square off. The mood in the Boston clubhouse was much more relaxed after their first win in the series, while player-manager Fred Clarke stressed fundamentals and staying within their abilities in the other room.
Both pitchers are dominating and the game was scoreless as the Pirates bat in the 4th. Ginger Beaumont drew a leadoff walk and was on second with two out when Claude Ritchey rips a double to give the Bucs the lead. Claude has had a great series so far and after Tom Leach walks Bill Bransfield hits a single just to the left of shortstop Freddy Parent for an RBI single. Ed Phelps walks to load the bases, but Phillippe is retired, and the inning ends with the Pirates on top 2-0.
The score remained the same when the Red Sox fight back when Pat Dougherty worked VERY hard and draws a leadoff walk from Phillippe and moved to second with one out. Jimmy Collins hits a single to right and the run scores. Collins moves to second with two out and Parent smokes a drive off the wall in left center for an RBI double to tie the game.
The home team gets the lead back in the bottom of the inning as Clarke walks and moves to second with one out when Leach slips a single just out of Hobe Ferris’ range at second to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. Young retires the side with no further damage, so this game is not over by a long shot.
Phillippe settles in and keeps the Red Sox off the board, and the Pirates get an insurance run in the 8th on another RBI single by Leach, and Phillippe retires the side in the 9th as the Pirates win 3-2 in a thriller. They go for the series win tomorrow.
