by Scott Fennessy
Pittsburgh PA 6/1/1905
Exposition Park
The Chicago Cubs who have been winning some very close games played lately face the Pirates. They had been owned by them previously to this year and are hoping for some payback. Ed Reulbach against Sam Leever.
This was the 3rd straight 1 run victory in a game that had not a lot of action and all of it in the first inning. Billy Maloney walked and an infield single by the red hot Johnny Evers puts runners on first and second. Arthur Hofman rips a double scoring both runners. Tinker and Schulte follow with hits (both now holding small 3 game streaks) but are stranded and the inning closes. The bucs score in their half of the inning on a back to back singles by Ginger Beaumont and Bob Ganley who is subbing for the slumping Tom Leach. Hanley steals second and Bill Clancey hits a sac fly scoring Beaumont. The inning ends 2-1 Cubs. Neither team scores after this as both pitchers keep the others from scoring. Not much to say on this day as Reulbach looked his usual strong self allowing just 1 run on 7 hits and striking out 5 while walking just 1. The Pirates never really threatened after the first. For the Cubs Hans Lobert and Jack O’Neil looked good in rare back up roles. O’Neil had his first extra-base hit with a double in the 9th but was not able to score.
Leever has become “Just another victim” to the Cubs and their terrific staff allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits. He was a bit wild with 5 walks but was able to work through it and keep it close.