Today, we’re back at Ruppert Stadium for Game 4 in our latest playoff series. After Newark won the first two games, the New York Black Yankees crushed Newark in Game 3 to stave off elimination. Now for Game 4, and it’s a rematch of Game 1 – Bill Holland pitching for New York, and for Newark – Leon Day (who pitched a third of an inning in Game 3 after New York had put the game out of reach).
Newark struck for one in the bottom of the first. Second baseman Harry Williams absolutely crushed a full-count changeup from Holland for a home run which landed well beyond the right field fence.
The Black Yankees mounted a threat in the top of the sixth. George Giles doubled off the left field wall to lead off the inning. After a ground ball out, Fats Jenkins drew a walk. With two men on, Leon Day managed to shut down New York, striking out Walter Cannady and getting George Scales on a ground ball.
The Black Yankees finally broke through in the top of the seventh. Marvin Barker reached when Newark second baseman threw past first baseman Mule Suttles for a one-base error. One out later, pinch hitter Barney Brown hit a sharp line drive down the left field line for a triple, scoring Barker.
When the game headed into the top of the ninth all knotted up at one apiece, it was looking like extra innings for the first time in the series. But Jim Williams led off the New York ninth with a base hit to right. Pinch hitter Ameal Brooks singled Williams to second. After Bob Clarke was called out on strikes, pinch hitter Spoony Palm hit a run-scoring base hit to right. Relief pitcher William Bell managed to shut down New York on back-to-back ground balls, but New York had taken a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Newark’s last chance passed quietly. New York brought in Game 3 starter Roosevelt Davis to try to shut down the Eagles. Ray Dandridge went out on a pop up caught in short right field by right fielder Jim Williams. The Black Yankees got pinch hitter Hawk Thomas on a fly ball to right. After pinch hitter Burt Johnson drew a four-pitch walk, center fielder Paul Dixon ended the game with a fly ball to short right field.
So we’re four games in on this latest series, and it’s all tied up – two to two. Next time, we’ll have Game 5 for all the marbles.
Image courtesy of Pixabay by RonPorter (no changes).