Game 19 - A 9th Inning Rally

May 10, 1911
Philadelphia 8, St. Louis 6


Coming into this game, the St. Louis Browns were holding firm in last place at 5-16. Yet they had this game all but won until a 9th inning rally gave the Athletics their 10th win of the year. A walk, a single, an error, a triple, and a double led to four runs in that frame and a winning record once again for the Mackites. Bender, who was dealing with a sore back, didn't pitch particularly well, giving up 11 hits and 4 walks over 8 innings, but his offense was able to bail him out. Eddie Plank came in for the save in the bottom of the ninth (though saves hadn't been invented as a stat yet).

The game was also marked by the Athletics running unchecked along the base paths, collecting 7 stolen bases, including three for Home Run Baker.

Meanwhile, the Tigers lost their first home game today (and third overall) to fall to 21-3. That put the A's 8.5 games back, but in third place. Here are the standings at the close of play on the 10th:

Team Name               G    W    L    T   PCT    GB    RS   RA
Detroit Tigers         24   21    3    0  .875     -   141   73
Boston Red Sox         22   12   10    0  .545   8.0   104   82
Philadelphia Athletics 19   10    9    0  .526   8.5   105   82
Chicago White Sox      21   10   10    1  .500   9.0    97   76
New York Highlanders   20   10   10    0  .500   9.0    70   94
Washington Senators    19    8   11    0  .421  10.5    61   94
Cleveland Naps         25    9   15    1  .375  12.0    98  123
St. Louis Browns       22    5   17    0  .227  15.0    81  133

The A's are also making great strides on their run differential. As recently as May 2nd, they had both scored and allowed 63 runs. Since then, they've scored 42 while only giving up 19.

[Today's Sources: http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1911/VOL_57_NO_11/SL5711003.PDF; box score: http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1911/VOL_57_NO_11/SL5711010.PDF]