Dodgers commit 6 errors in Opening Day loss

The boo birds were out at Ebbets Field today, as the Dodgers played sloppy ball - committing 6 errors in a 13-3 loss against Boston.  The errors led to 3 unearned runs.  Boston piled on 6 runs in the 6th, then added 3 runs in the 7th, and 2 runs in innings 8 and 9.  Van Mungo gets the loss.  He didn't pitch particularly well, allowing 5 earned runs in 5.1 innings.  

Fred Frankhouse pitched well for Boston.  He nearly went the distance - 8.2 innings pitched, allowing 2 earned runs.  Billy Urbanski finished 3-for-6 with a home run.  Wally Berger, Buck Jordan, and Fred Frankhouse all had multiple hit games.

BOXSCORE: 1935 Boston Braves At 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers               4/27/1935
Updated W/L Records: Boston(4-6) Brooklyn(5-5)
 
  Braves             AB  R  H RBI AVG     Dodgers            AB  R  H RBI AVG
  L.Mallon 2B         6  1  1  0 .158     B.Boyle RF          5  0  1  0 .333  
  B.Urbanski SS       6  2  3  2 .293     J.Stripp 3B,1B      4  0  1  0 .341  
  W.Berger CF         6  2  2  1 .368     L.Koenecke CF       3  0  2  0 .344  
  B.Jordan 1B         4  3  3  1 .273     S.Leslie 1B         3  0  1  0 .316  
  T.Thompson RF       4  2  0  1 .194   B-J.Jordan PH,SS      1  0  0  0 .250  
  P.Whitney 3B        4  1  1  2 .237     L.Frey SS,3B        4  2  1  0 .286  
  H.Lee LF            5  1  1  2 .333     T.Cuccinello 2B     4  0  2  1 .308  
  R.Mueller C         4  0  1  2 .429     J.Bucher LF         4  0  1  1 .318  
  F.Frankhouse P      4  1  2  0 .300     A.Lopez C           4  1  1  0 .297  
  L.Benton P          0  0  0  0 .000     V.Mungo P           2  0  0  0 .333  
                                          D.Leonard P         0  0  0  0 .000  
                                        A-J.Cooney PH         0  0  0  0 ----  
                                          B.Reis P            0  0  0  0 .000  
                                          G.Earnshaw P        0  0  0  0 .400  
                                        C-D.Taylor PH         1  0  1  1 .727  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      43 13 14 11                 Totals      35  3 11  3
 
A-Pinch Hit For Leonard In 7th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Leslie In 8th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Earnshaw In 9th Inning
 
Braves.......... 0 0 0  0 0 6  3 2 2  - 13 14  1
Dodgers......... 0 1 0  0 0 1  0 0 1  -  3 11  6
 
Braves (4-6)             IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA  SCORESHEET
F.Frankhouse WIN(2-1)     8 2/3  11   3   2   2   3   0 140   1.90  A1 D9
L.Benton                  0 1/3   0   0   0   0   1   0   7   5.40  E1
Totals                    9      11   3   2   2   4   0
 
Dodgers (5-5)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA  SCORESHEET
V.Mungo LOSS(0-2)         5 1/3   7   6   5   2   2   0 102   5.00  A1 C9
D.Leonard                 1 2/3   3   3   1   0   1   0  38   3.38  D1 E1
B.Reis                    1 1/3   3   3   3   1   0   0  35  16.62  E2 E9
G.Earnshaw                0 2/3   1   1   1   0   1   1   7   7.82  F1
Totals                    9      14  13  10   3   4   1
 
ATTENDANCE- 35,171 DATE- Saturday, April 27th 1935 TIME- Day WEATHER- Bad
T- 2:16
LEFT ON BASE- Braves: 8  Dodgers: 7
DOUBLE PLAYS- Braves: 4  Dodgers: 1
ERRORS- T.Thompson, L.Koenecke, S.Leslie, L.Frey, T.Cuccinello-2, A.Lopez
DOUBLES- L.Mallon(1st), B.Urbanski(4th), B.Jordan(4th), H.Lee(4th),
         R.Mueller(1st), T.Cuccinello(1st), D.Taylor(2nd)
HOME RUNS- B.Urbanski(1st)
RBIs- B.Urbanski-2(10th), W.Berger(11th), B.Jordan(2nd), T.Thompson(3rd),
      P.Whitney-2(5th), H.Lee-2(6th), R.Mueller-2(2nd), T.Cuccinello(16th),
      J.Bucher(5th), D.Taylor(6th)
SACRIFICE FLIES- R.Mueller
WALKS- B.Jordan, P.Whitney, F.Frankhouse, L.Koenecke, J.Cooney
HIT BY PITCH- T.Thompson
STRIKE OUTS- L.Mallon, W.Berger, R.Mueller, F.Frankhouse, B.Boyle, L.Koenecke,
             L.Frey, A.Lopez
GIDP- T.Thompson, B.Boyle, S.Leslie, A.Lopez
2-out RBI- P.Whitney, B.Urbanski-2, D.Taylor
RLISP 2-out- T.Thompson, F.Frankhouse, L.Frey, S.Leslie, B.Urbanski, L.Mallon,
             B.Boyle
TEAM RISP- Braves: 4 for 19  Dodgers: 0 for 7
WEB GEMS- Bot 9th: Hal Lee robbed Jim Bucher of an extra base hit.

Dodgers sweep Reds in impressive series

The Dodgers took care of business at Crosley Field this week, sweeping the Reds in a series that featured a lot of offense.  The Dodgers won game 1, 10-7; game 2, 12-3; and game 3, 16-5.  That's right, they outscored the Reds, 38-15 in total in the series.  The Dodgers as a team hit .378 in the series to go with a 1.002 OPS.  Dodger pitchers were also effective: they limited the Reds to a .225 average.

"This is the kind of series that proves we can play with anyone," Manager Williams said.  "When we're on, we're on.  We had great chemistry this series, with guys picking each other up and passing the baton.  This recent series featured some great team wins."

The Dodgers will now head home to Ebbets Field to prepare for Opening Day.  Yes, that's right, get your hot dogs and soda ready (maybe a Schaefer beer if you're old enough) and prepare for some Brooklyn baseball.  There's nothing better than the crack of the bat and the pop of the mitt.

Phillies' George Watkins hits for the cycle

It was a big day for Phillies' outfielder George Watkins.  He hit for the cycle in a virtuoso performance that saw him go 4-for-5 with 7 RBI's.  The home run he hit was a grand slam.  The Phillies pounded out 21 hits in total in the game.

"The baseball looked like a beach ball; I couldn't help but hit it," Watkins said after the game.

Boyle collects 5 hits in win over Pittsburgh

The Dodgers have scuffled to start the season, but they showed up impressively today in a win against last year's pennant winning Pirates.  Buzz Boyle was the story of the game.  He came into the game with a batting average of .158 and left hitting .333.  He hit 5 singles to go with 3 runs and an RBI.  Today the Dodgers proved they can play with any team in the league.

The Dodgers began the scoring in the 1st.  Boyle singled to lead things off, then after 2 were out, Sam Leslie hit a big double to plate the run.  But the Pirates would respond immediately.  After 2 outs were recorded, Arky Vaughn singled, then Paul Waner doubled to score him.  Next up was Gus Suhr and he pounded a deep home run to left to make it 3-1.

The Dodgers would tie it in the 3rd inning.  Boyle singled and stole 2nd.  Joe Stripp then hit a grounder to Pirates shortstop Vaughn who threw the ball into the dugout, leading to 1 run.  After a walk, 2 batters were retired.  Jim Bucher then singled to make it 3-3.

The Dodgers would take the lead in the 4th.  Frenchy Bordagaray singled, then reached 2nd on a sac bunt by pitcher Ray Benge.  Buzz Boyle singled to put runners at the corners.  Then, Manager Mathew Williams ordered a delayed steal.  Boyle stole his 2nd base of the game while Bordagaray stayed on 3rd.  Then Joe Stripp hit a 2-RBI single to make it 5-3.  The Dodgers wouldn't look back; they'd add a run in the 8th and win this one, 6-3.

The Dodgers were an impressive 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position in this game.

BOXSCORE: 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers At 1935 Pittsburgh Pirates          4/20/1935
Updated W/L Records: Brooklyn(2-3) Pittsburgh(2-2)
 
  Dodgers            AB  R  H RBI AVG     Pirates            AB  R  H RBI AVG
  B.Boyle RF          5  3  5  1 .333     W.Jensen LF         5  0  1  0 .300  
  J.Stripp 3B         3  1  1  2 .250     L.Waner CF          4  0  1  0 .529  
  L.Koenecke LF       4  0  0  0 .222     A.Vaughan SS        4  1  3  0 .412  
  S.Leslie 1B         5  0  2  1 .368     P.Waner RF          4  1  2  1 .235  
  T.Cuccinello 2B     5  0  0  0 .158     G.Suhr 1B           5  1  2  2 .353  
  J.Bucher SS         4  0  2  1 .333     P.Young 2B          4  0  2  0 .400  
  D.Leonard P         1  0  0  0 .000     G.Bush P            0  0  0  0 .000  
  A.Lopez C           4  0  1  0 .263   C-T.Padden PH         1  0  0  0 .000  
  F.Bordagaray CF     4  2  2  0 .118     T.Thevenow 3B       4  0  0  0 .313  
  R.Benge P           2  0  0  0 .000     E.Grace C           4  0  1  0 .313  
A-J.Jordan SS         1  0  0  0 .000     W.Hoyt P            3  0  1  0 .333  
                                        B-C.Lavagetto 2B      1  0  1  01.000  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      38  6 13  5                 Totals      39  3 14  3
 
A-Subbed Defensively (SS) For Benge In 7th Inning
B-Subbed Defensively (2B) For Hoyt In 8th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Bush In 9th Inning
 
Dodgers......... 1 0 2  2 0 0  0 1 0  -  6 13  0
Pirates......... 3 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  3 14  1
 
Dodgers (2-3)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
R.Benge WIN(1-0)          6      10   3   3   3   2   1 108   3.38
D.Leonard SAVE(1st)       3       4   0   0   0   2   0  45   3.38
Totals                    9      14   3   3   3   4   1
 
Pirates (2-2)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
W.Hoyt LOSS(0-1)          7 2/3  13   6   4   3   4   0 123   4.00
G.Bush                    1 1/3   0   0   0   0   1   0  13   0.00
Totals                    9      13   6   4   3   5   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 17,495 DATE- Saturday, April 20th 1935 TIME- Day WEATHER- Bad
T- 2:56
LEFT ON BASE- Dodgers: 9  Pirates:12
DOUBLE PLAYS- Dodgers: 1  Pirates: 1
ERRORS- A.Vaughan
DOUBLES- S.Leslie(1st), A.Lopez(2nd), A.Vaughan(3rd), P.Waner(2nd),
         P.Young(3rd)
HOME RUNS- G.Suhr(1st)
RBIs- B.Boyle(4th), J.Stripp-2(7th), S.Leslie(2nd), J.Bucher(1st), P.Waner(2nd),
      G.Suhr-2(6th)
STOLEN BASES- B.Boyle-3(3rd), F.Bordagaray(2nd)
CAUGHT STEALING- J.Bucher
SACRIFICE HITS- R.Benge
WALKS- J.Stripp-2, L.Koenecke, L.Waner, A.Vaughan, P.Waner
STRIKE OUTS- L.Koenecke, S.Leslie, J.Bucher-2, R.Benge, L.Waner, G.Suhr-2,
             T.Padden
GIDP- T.Cuccinello, P.Young
PASSED BALLS- A.Lopez
2-out RBI- S.Leslie, P.Waner, G.Suhr-2, J.Bucher, B.Boyle
RLISP 2-out- T.Cuccinello, R.Benge, A.Lopez, A.Vaughan-2, T.Thevenow,
             L.Koenecke-2, P.Young, T.Padden
TEAM RISP- Dodgers: 4 for 14  Pirates: 1 for 9
IBB- J.Stripp (by W.Hoyt, 6th inning)
     J.Stripp (by W.Hoyt, 8th inning)

Dodgers drop opening series

The Dodgers have gotten off on the wrong foot, losing their opening series in Philadelphia, 2 games to 1.  Brooklyn won game 2, 11-5, but lost decisive game 3, 6-2.  Dodger pitchers in the series were hit at a .342 clip and have a 5.26 ERA.  A number of Philadelphia hitters had a strong series, including Ethan Allen who finished 8-for 13 with a home run; George Watkins who went 6-for-14; and Johnny Moore who finished 5-for-13 with 2 long balls.  Allen had 4 hits in the finale.

The Dodgers will now go on to play the defending league champion Pittsburgh Pirates.

Around the League: The Chicago Cubs are the only undefeated team in the league after sweeping Cincinnati. Wally Berger slugged 3 home runs in Boston's series with the Giants.  Berger also has a league-best 7 RBI's.

Game 1 features high drama, but Brooklyn falls to Phils

Brooklyn reliever Dutch Leonard blew a save in the 9th, as the Dodgers drop the opener in a game that displayed high drama.  It was a close game throughout, but the Dodgers allowed the Phillies to score a run in the 7th, another in the 8th, and a walk-off run in the 9th to win the game.  You feel for Dutch Leonard who simply let this team down.  But let's get to the action.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Johnny Vergez walked after an out was recorded.  Then Mickey Haslin grounded out to move the runner to 2nd.  Jimmie Wilson singled to left field, and Vergez raced for home.  Len Koenecke threw a strike to home, and Vergez was called out.  But the Phillies would score in the 3rd to take the lead.  After 2 outs were recorded, Ethan Allen doubled.  Johnny Moore then singled him home for a big RBI.  

The Phillies nearly scored in the 5th after two men reached with 1 out, but they couldn't pull it off.  But the Dodgers scored 2 in the 6th inning to pull ahead.  Boyle grounded out, then Len Koenecke flied out.  Lonny Frey doubled, Sam Leslie singled him home, then Joe Stripp hit a big RBI triple to make it 2-1.  The Dodgers would add another in the 7th inning.  Bordagaray reached on an error, then stole 2nd.  Al Lopez singled to put runners on the corners.  Mungo hit a sac fly, then Buzz Boyle hit into a force play, then Len Koenecke singled to put runners at the corners, then Lonny Frey walked.  Sam Leslie flied out and left big runners on base.

In the bottom of the 7th, Van Mungo allowed a single after one out, then after 2 were out, he walked consecutive batters.  Dutch Leonard was dispatched from the bullpen to put the fire out.  He couldn't do it; an RBI singled from Vergez made it 3-2.  

In the 8th, Philadelphia scored again.  After an out was recorded, Jimmie Wilson singled, then Fred Lucas struck out.  But Lou Chiozza hit a huge triple to score a run and tie the game.

In the 9th, the Phillies would walk it off.  Johnny Moore led off with a single, then back-to-back force plays put a runner on 1st, 2 outs.  Johnny Vergez singled, then both batters advanced on a wild pitch.  Mickey Haslin then singled to win the game, 4-3.

"Boy, I tell ya, I really thought we were going to win the opener.  It was looking good.  We couldn't pull it off," Manager Williams said after the game.

BOXSCORE: 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers At 1935 Philadelphia Phillies       4/16/1935
Updated W/L Records: Brooklyn(0-1) Philadelphia(1-0)
 
  Dodgers            AB  R  H RBI AVG     Phillies           AB  R  H RBI AVG
  B.Boyle RF          5  0  0  0 .000     L.Chiozza 2B        5  0  2  1 .400  
  L.Koenecke LF       4  0  1  0 .250     E.Allen CF          4  2  3  0 .750  
  L.Frey SS           3  1  2  0 .667     J.Bowman P          0  0  0  0 ----  
  S.Leslie 1B         4  1  1  1 .250     J.Moore RF          5  0  2  1 .400  
  J.Stripp 3B         4  0  1  1 .250     D.Camilli 1B        4  0  0  0 .000  
  T.Cuccinello 2B     4  0  1  0 .250     G.Watkins LF        4  1  2  0 .500  
  F.Bordagaray CF     4  1  0  0 .000     J.Vergez 3B         4  0  2  1 .500  
  A.Lopez C           4  0  1  0 .250     M.Haslin SS         4  0  1  1 .250  
  V.Mungo P           2  0  1  1 .500     J.Wilson C          4  1  2  0 .500  
  D.Leonard P         1  0  0  0 .000     C.Davis P           3  0  0  0 .000  
                                          P.Collins P         0  0  0  0 ----  
                                        A-F.Lucas PH,CF       1  0  0  0 .000  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      35  3  8  3                 Totals      38  4 14  4
 
A-Pinch Hit For Collins In 8th Inning
 
Dodgers......... 0 0 0  0 0 2  1 0 0  -  3  8  1
Phillies........ 0 0 1  0 0 0  1 1 1  -  4 14  1
 
Dodgers (0-1)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
V.Mungo                   6 2/3   8   2   2   4   4   0 118   2.70
D.Leonard L(0-1) BS(1st)  2       6   2   2   0   1   0  41   9.00
Totals                    8 2/3  14   4   4   4   5   0
 
Phillies (1-0)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
C.Davis                   6 2/3   8   3   2   1   3   0 117   2.70
P.Collins                 1 1/3   0   0   0   0   0   0  20   0.00
J.Bowman WIN(1-0)         1       0   0   0   0   3   0   9   0.00
Totals                    9       8   3   2   1   6   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 26,084 DATE- Tuesday, April 16th 1935 TIME- Day WEATHER- Good
T- 2:00
LEFT ON BASE- Dodgers: 7  Phillies:12
DOUBLE PLAYS- Dodgers: 0  Phillies: 0
ERRORS- V.Mungo, L.Chiozza
DOUBLES- L.Frey(1st), E.Allen(1st)
TRIPLES- J.Stripp(1st), L.Chiozza(1st)
RBIs- S.Leslie(1st), J.Stripp(1st), V.Mungo, L.Chiozza(1st), J.Moore(1st),
      J.Vergez(1st), M.Haslin(1st)
STOLEN BASES- F.Bordagaray(1st)
SACRIFICE HITS- E.Allen
SACRIFICE FLIES- V.Mungo
WALKS- L.Frey, D.Camilli, G.Watkins, J.Vergez, M.Haslin
STRIKE OUTS- B.Boyle-2, L.Frey, A.Lopez, V.Mungo, D.Leonard, D.Camilli,
             G.Watkins, J.Wilson, C.Davis, F.Lucas
WILD PITCHES- D.Leonard
2-out RBI- J.Moore, S.Leslie, J.Stripp, J.Vergez, L.Chiozza, M.Haslin
RLISP 2-out- D.Camilli-2, J.Wilson, L.Koenecke, T.Cuccinello, C.Davis,
             S.Leslie-2, E.Allen
TEAM RISP- Dodgers: 2 for 5  Phillies: 4 for 11
WEB GEMS- Bot 2nd: Al Lopez blocked the plate, saving a run!

Dodgers set to open up 1935 season

 It's that magical time of year again, as we prepare for Opening Day, 1935!  The Dodgers will open the season tomorrow in Philadelphia at Baker Bowl.  The Dodgers finished a respectable 77-77 in the 1934 season; could 1935 bring a World Championship?  The gamblers don't view those odds favorably.  The Dodgers will have to play very well to have a chance.  Anything is possible. 

The core of this Dodgers team remains mostly the same: Leslie, Koenecke, Cuccinello, Frey, Stripp, Boyle, and Danny Taylor.  Much of the pitching remains the same, though Brooklyn has added George Earnshaw from the American League.  He will start for the Dodgers.  Pitching was an achilles heel for the Dodgers last year; they are hoping Van Mungo can continue what he did last year, and other starters step up and play well.

We will see you tomorrow at Baker Bowl.  The crowd will be rowdy.  Baker Bowl will feature the thick smell of tobacco smoke to go with the aroma of stale beer in the stands.  That's baseball, folks!  What a game.  We'll see you tomorrow. 😜