1905 Chicago Cubs replay update: Cubs pick off the Phils

by Scott Fennessy

Chicago IL, 7/29/1905

The Cubs return home from a good road trip that saw them get back on track as they continue their chase of the Giants while also fending off the Pirates. They lost a tough one in Philadelphia the other day 3-1 so it is good that they start their current home stand against the Phillies. Bill Duggleby faces the red hot Jake Weimer who has thrown 18 straight scoreless innings.

For the first time in a while the Cubs allow the leadoff hitter to reach, but Jake does what he does best and that’s shut down rallies. The next three hitters are retired and the Cubs come to bat in the bottom of the first. The Cubs really miss a golden opportunity in the first with runners on the corners, but “Frosty Bill” comes up big and the bruins get nothing. That established the tone for the afternoon as neither team did much of anything as the score was still 0-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Joe Tinker who has really struggled offensively this year gets a slider and drops it to the gap in right and gets a leadoff double. Jake Weimer who is really having a good year slips a grounder just out of Ernie Courtney’s reach at third and Tinker scores and is at second on a grounder and two out in the inning when Frank Schulte gets a single that drops just in front of Sherry Magee in center scoring Weimer. Frank Chance is really seeing the ball well lately and continues his great hitting with an RBI single scoring Schulte who had stolen second. Duggleby gets out of the inning but the damage is done and the Cubs have a 3-0 lead.

Weimer continues to cruise, allowing just 2 hits at this point when the Cubs finally break this game open in the 7th. Weimer gets his second single of the day and is now at .284 for the year. Considering he does not have a great hitters card this reporter is somewhat at an explanation. One out later Johnny Evers gets a single and runners are on the corners. Schulte hits one hard and it’s through the hole between third and short, but wait! Shortstop Mike Doolan makes a terrific play and gets “Wildfire” at first. Weimer had to hold at third but runners are now on 2nd & 3rd. Chance makes the Phillies pay again with another single, this one driving in 2 more and Chance takes second on the throw that was way up the line. Jim Casey then drives the final nail in the coffin with an RBI single that knocks Duggleby from the game and the Cubs now have a 6-0 lead. Sutthoff comes in to finish the inning as the phils manager is unhappy as the pitchers spot was due to leadoff and he had to waste a precious bullpen slot.

Weimer gets through another scoreless inning and Bill Caldwell comes in to hold the door closed. While the Cubs threaten nothing else happens and the “Tornado” goes to the mound in the 9th going for his third straight shutout. Unfortunately the Phillies and Hugh Duffy snuff that hope as he gets a leadoff double to left and moves to third after a ground out. Bill Bransfield hits a fly to deep left and Jimmy Slagle catches this just in front of the wall as Duffy scores the first and only run of the day for the visitors.

Weimer goes the distance and improves to 20-2 for the year and really has been the best pitcher in the NL this year. He has his great fielding one defense behind him that stopped 2 plays that weaker fielding teams would not have pulled off. I am picking up the update from around the league and this one’s a final! The Cincinnati Reds’ Orval Overall beats the Giants 4-3 behind Fritz Odwell’s MLB leading 13th homer in the 6th. With the Pirates off today the Cubs get good news all around.

Giants 59 19 .756
Cubs 55 24 .696
Pirates 48 31 .608

[photo credit]