Game 1 in Boston
Mel Parnell (20-8, 3.94) v Early Wynn (18-11, 4.32)
Two top-notch and equally-matched pitchers get us underway as 20-game winner Mel Parnell faces Early Wynn. A home game with their ace going makes this a must-win for the Sox.
Both pitchers are exemplary but it is the Dodgers who prevail in a tight one, scoring 2 off Tex Shirley in the 9th and hanging on for a 3-2 final. Wynn and Parnell only allow 4 hits between them, and the latter can feel aggrieved at not getting the W after pitching 6 scoreless.
Game 2 in Boston
Frank Sullivan (12-13, 4.36) v Ned Garver (15-10, 3.93)
Dodgers lead series 1-0
Highly-regarded rookie Frank Sullivan gets the big assignment today with the pressure already well and truly on his Red Sox. You’d have to think that, if Ned Garver and his Dodger cronies can take a 2-0 lead back to Ebbets then this one is nearly in the bag.
And that’s precisely what they do with a disciplined 3-1 win behind another outstanding performance by their SP, as Garver allows just one run on three hits over six. Not much offence from the Brooky bats either, but they do just enough to really take control of this series heading home for three, if it goes that long.
Game 3 in Brooklyn
Bob Turley (2-2, 3.79) v Ken Raffensberger (13-11, 4.56)
Dodgers lead series 2-0
Desperation time for the BoSox here, given the Dodgers’ clear superiority at the bottom of the rotation. Sophomore tyro Bob Turley, who possesses plus stuff but can get wild, faces veteran Ken Raffensberger in a game in which I suspect we’ll see a bit more offence than we have in the two games so far.
Indeed it is a wild one as the two sides combine for 20 runs on 23 hits and the Dodgers take a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead. Campy does all he can against his former club, belting 2 homers and driving in 3, but the Brooklyn bats wake up big time and simply have too much firepower, with Furillo and Robinson each knocking in 3 runs.
Game 4 in Brooklyn
Don Newcombe (12-10, 4.83) v Lew Burdette (12-7, 4.23)
Dodgers lead series 3-0
Preacher Roe was originally pencilled in for this start, but the Dodgers have decided to go with Newk instead, while Lew Burdette is the man responsible for prolonging Boston’s season.
And not for the first time, Newcombe fails to get the job done as the Sox get to him early then hang on for dear life as the Dodgers come storming back, only to fall short by a run. Once again it is Campanella who almost single-handedly lifts his team with 2 more homers and 3 RBI, while Elliott is also fantastic for the victors.
Game 5 in Brooklyn
Mel Parnell (1-0, 7.71) v Robin Roberts (0-0, 4.50)
Dodgers lead series 3-1
And just like that, this series finally has a bit of life to it. We all know full well that a win here would heavily shift the momentum heading back to Beantown, and therefore almost counts for double. The Game 1 combatants are back for a second go.
Ahh, no dice I’m afraid, Red Sox Nation. Their boys try hard but this is Brooky’s year as they close it out at home with a tenacious 5-2 win with Wynn going the distance in another fine display. Campy goes 2-for-4 to cap an amazing series on a losing cause, but the MVP award goes to his great friend Jackie Robinson all the same.
BROOKLYN WINS SERIES 4-1
SERIES MVP: Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn)