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Boston @ Pittsburgh: July 2-5, 1928
Boston was able to jump out to a 5-0 lead in the first game of the Minutemen’s five game series against Pittsburgh.Then the Miners started slowly pecking away at the deficit. Nursing a 5-3 lead going into the 9th Boston manager Ted Specter made the decision to let Ernie Henderson continue in the game. The Miners would rally for a pair of runs to tie the game. Interestingly enough Specter allowed Henderson to pitch the 9th as well. With two outs in the inning pinch hitter John Welch tripled to send the Miners walk off winners. Tough way for the Minutemen to start the series. 6-5 Loss. (42-35)

Jack Holland put together a really nice start to get the Minutemen even in this series. Holland went seven innings giving up one earned on six hits. Offensively, the Minutemen benefitted from a double by Jake Duke (17), a triple by Charlie Barry (4) and a home run by Bob Scholer (3) in the victory. 4-1 Win. (43-35)

Games three and four of the series would be a doubleheader on Independence Day!. In the first game the MInutemen would call upon Bill Jenkins to hopefully provide a solid pitching outing. Jenkins was average across the board, but his three earned would be more than enough for the Boston offense. Boston was very efficient at the plate scoring nine runs on 11 hits. The club was also able to draw seven walks which provided constant pressure on the Pittsburgh pitching staff. 9-3 Win (44-35)

The second game of the doubleheader definitely provided some Independence Day fireworks. Boston starter Dick Alexander was really solid through eight innings of work only giving up a pair of runs. With a lead going into the 9th Boston called on Dode Jefferis to save the game. It didn’t happen as the Miners were able to push across a run and send the game to extra innings. The game went all the way to the 12th where Jim Refroe who plays CF for the Miners tripled off of Phil Sunshine. Boston’s perfect extra inning record went up in flames when Tom Hopkins singled Renfroe home sending the Miners home winners. 4-3 Loss. (44-36)

The Minutemen were flat awful in their last game of the series against the MIners. The Minutemen committed six errors accounting for 5 unearned Pittsburgh runs. It also did not help that Pittsburg starter Dick Reynolds was on his game. This is the type of game that a club just has to put behind them. 7-3 Loss. (44-37)

Boston vs. New York: July 6-7, 1928
Boston’s defensive woes continued for the second straight game as they opened a series at home against the Gothams. The difference in this game however was that the Boston offense pummeled New York starter Bill Parker for seven runs on eleven hits in 4.2 innings. Catcher Alfred Cass provided two hits and three RBI’s in the win. 9-6 Win. (45-37)

Boston starter Jack Holland gave up a run in the 1st and the 5th but battled hard to keep his club in the game. The Boston offense finally clicked in the 7th thanks in part to Homer Krajewski’s two RBI double and plated four runs to take the lead. With inconsistent stoppers Specter opted to stay with Holland for the 8th. It turned out to be the wrong decision as the Gothams were able to even the game up at four. Dode Jefferis pitched the 9th and promptly walked two batters in the inning before John Kincaid delivered the go ahead single. It was another tough loss for the Minutemen this week.

GM’s Desk: July 9th, 1928:
We couldn’t figure things out this week. It was one of those situations where whatever in-game decision we made backfired. These things happen. Overall, we aren’t playing too bad but we cannot make any ground on Chicago. The Chiefs are playing at a real high level right now and unless things change they will run away with the FA. From our perspective we are going to continue to evaluate the players in our organization in an effort to see who can help us win games on the field on a game to game basis.