We’re back in Columbia Park this afternoon for Game 5 of the 1902 (Simulated) World Series. Philadelphia manager Connie Mack has sent Rube Waddell back to the mound for the start in this must-win game and Fred Clarke of the Pirates has named Jack Chesbro to start for his Pirates.
The Athletics scored twice in the bottom of the first against Hall of Famer Chesbro. Lave Cross got things started with a one-out single, and Harry Davis and Danny Murphy then scored two runs with back-to-back two-out base hits. The Athletics scored twice more in the bottom of the third on Lave Cross’ single and Socks Seybold’s home run to dead center.
The Pirates made it 4-1 in the top of the fourth on a couple of defensive lapses by the Athletics. With one out, Kitty Bransfield reached on a one-base error by Athletics’ shortstop Monte Cross. Philadelphia center fielder Dave Fultz then muffed a liner from Claude Ritchey for a two-base error, putting men on second and third. After Wid Conroy walked to load the bases, Pirates’ pitcher Jack Chesbro sacrificed in the Pirates’ first run.
The Athletics broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Dave Fultz opened the inning by being hit by a pitch and then stealing second. Chesbro got two quick outs, but Harry Davis then tripled Fultz in and Danny Murphy singled to score Davis. So heading into the sixth, the Athletics led by 6-1. And the Athletics added one more in the bottom of the sixth when Monte Cross singled and advanced to second on a one-base error by shortstop Wid Conroy and Dave Fultz singled him in.
The Pirates pulled closer in the top of the eighth. Kitty Bransfield led off with a sharp base hit to right. Claude Ritchey then walked. After Wid Conroy lined out, the runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch to pitcher Jack Chesbro. After Chesbro struck out, Ginger Beaumont and Fred Clarke hit back-to-back singles to score two runs.
So the Pirates headed into the top of the ninth down 7-3.
For the first three hitters, it looked as if the Athletics would wind the game down quickly. Jack O’Connor led off with a single, but Waddell then got Kitty Bransfield and Claude Ritchey on lineouts. Pinch hitter Mike Hopkins then singled O’Connor to third. Pinch hitter George Merritt singled to score O’Connor and make it 7-4. Connie Mack brought in Ed Kenna to relieve Rube Waddell, but he didn’t stop the bleeding – Ginger Beaumont singled to bring the score to 7-5. Connie Mack called for Bert Husting to replace Kenna, but it didn’t work: Pirates manager Fred Clarke hit a three-run homer to put the Pirates ahead 8-7 and on the brink of wrapping up the Series.
Fred Clarke made several substitutions in the bottom of the ninth. First, he brought in pitcher Harvey Cushman to pitch for the save. Second, he moved Hall of Famer Honus Wagner to shortstop. Finally, he left pinch hitter George Merritt in the game playing right field. After Cushman got Dave Fultz on a fly ball, he then got wild, walking Lave Cross, Socks Seybold and Harry Davis consecutively. Danny Murphy then lined a base hit to right center. Lave Cross practically walked home, and Socks Seybold slid home just ahead of the throw with the game-winning run.
We’re five games in and the Pirates are still leading the Series, three games to two.
Image courtesy of Pixabay by Alexas_Fotos (no changes).