The Liberty League, Est. 1876

[Questdog]

Saturday, April 21, 1888

Detroit Wolverines (1-0 1.000 tied for 1st place in the Liberty League) at
Pittsburgh Puddlers (0-1 .000 1 GB tied for 5th place)

Dave Frazier, Det. (28-5.7) (L 14-6 2.39 8.1-2.3-2.5 last year) vs. Whitey Mathews, Pitt. (25-4.1) (L 25-26 3.38 9.9-2.1-2.3 last year)

Lost - 3 to 2 in 10 innings

Well, this one was more like what I expected, though I did not like the results. 2B Ed Aldrich (24-6.8) hit a home run in the top of the 9th to tie the game, but 3B Al Oglesby (24-7.6) hit a 2-out single in the bottom of the 10th to win it for the Puddlers.

In 10 innings, Frazier allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.

Mathews gave us only 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 2.

We did not make an error and Pittsburgh made 4.

Other than Aldrich's 9th inning heroics, no one did much on offense.

For the Puddlers, Oglesby had 3 hits and the one RBI. CF Al Steel (28-7.0) hit a home run. SS Jim Ware (34-5.6) tore some ankle ligaments and will miss 4 to 5 weeks. RF Joe Coffey (31-5.2) sprained his elbow and will miss about 3 weeks.

Liberty League:
Boston (1) at Louisville (6): Count Childs (32-3.1) (1-0) over William Little (27-6.0) (0-1). Childs allowed 5 hits, 4 walks and struck out 6. Little allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4, but Boston made 6 errors. Louisville made only 2. For Boston, SS Tug Crane (28-6.5) pulled a muscle and will likely miss about 3 weeks.

New York (11) at Cincinnati (5): Tom McDowell (24-8.0) (1-0) over Charlie Branham (28-4.2) (0-1). 3B Ed Glass (28-4.5) tied the Liberty League record by drawing 4 walks. He also had a hit, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. Newcomer RF Sol Renaud (31-5.7), a Baltimore Oriole refugee, had 3 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. For the Reds, RF Fleet Wilcox (31-4.9) hurt his shoulder making a throw, but should be fine with 2 or 3 days of rest.

Cleveland (7) at Indianapolis (8): Sal DeVaux (33-3.5) (1-0) over Ed Pedersen (26-5.1) (0-1). Once again the balls were flying out of Seventh Street Park. C Fred Clapp (29-4.0) and 2B Kid Stevens (26-8.4) hit home runs for the Hoosiers. 1B Cowboy Gray (25-7.8) hit one for the Spiders. Also for Cleveland, 3B Charlie Taylor (32-5.2) had 4 hits and scored a run. The Hoosier's CF Ed Slonim (25-8.5) pulled a muscled and will miss the next month of games.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (3) at Brooklyn (2): Lee Sprague (28-3.5) (2-0) over Al Green (25-3.8) (0-2). Sprague allowed 8 hits, walked 1 and struck out 1. Green allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5.

Chicago (4) at St. Louis (1): Pat Seguin (24-4.4) (2-0) over Fred Barrow (36-4.7) (0-2). Seguin allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 4.

Milwaukee (7) at Kansas City (10): Al McClaughry (24-5.6) (2-0) over Freddy Wood (31-6.3) (0-2). McClaughry allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 6. For the Brewers, LF Ted Steeves (26-4.2) hit a home run.

[Questdog]

Sunday, April 22, 1888

Grand National Association:
Omaha (3) at Brooklyn (10): Ren French (26-4.9) (1-1) over Tom Lee (30-6.0) (1-1). French allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. Ex-Wolverine CF Joe Kraus (31-7.9) came up a single short of a cycle with a double, a triple and a home run, scored 4 runs and had 3 RBIs. He had 3 extra-base hits in the game; he had 3 extra-base hits for us all season last year. For the Mutuals, LF Tom Nelson (22-5.2), not the ex-Wolverine, hit a home run in his major league debut.

Chicago (6) at St. Louis (4): Pete Rinehart (29-6.2) (2-0) over Tom Wilmarth (28-5.4) (0-2).

Milwaukee (6) at Kansas City (8): Lew Burnett (27-4.5) (1-1) over Zachary Buchanan (27-4.0) (1-1).

[Questdog]

Monday, April 23, 1888

Detroit Wolverines (1-1 .500 1 GB tied for 3rd place in the Liberty League) at
Pittsburgh Puddlers (1-1 .500 1 GB tied for 3rd place)

Al Rice, Det. (23-7.6) (R 1-0 5.00 11.0-1.0-4.0) vs. Tom Lilly, Pitt. (28-6.4) (L 0-1 6.75 13.5-3.4-3.4)

C Cliff Robinson (30-6.1) will make his Wolverine debut today; otherwise the lineup is unchanged.

Lost - 3 to 0

We learned one thing for certain today and that is that 2B Ed Aldrich will not win his 3rd straight MVP award. He suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss about 6 weeks. I called up light-hitting but excellent fielding SS Ducky Foster (23-9.0) to take his spot. Jake Potter (33-6.8) will get 1st shot at filling in at second.

Rice allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit.

Lilly gave us only 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he hit an RBI double and scored a run. It was his 2nd double of the season, both off Rice.

RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) had 2 of our 4 hits but was picked off at first once and also made an error on a throw to the plate. He did throw a runner out at third though.

Looks like we shot our wad on Opening Day.

Liberty League:
Boston (1) at Louisville (2): William McLeod (28-5.6) (2-0) over Dave Wolf (25-4.7) (0-2). McLeod allowed 4 hits, 6 walks and struck out 7. Wolf allowed 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. Boston made 4 errors and Louisville made 1. The Bourbons have held Boston to a total of 5 runs in the 1st 3 games.

Cleveland (4) at Indianapolis (2): Lou Townley (26-3.4) (1-1) over Jimmy Euler (27-5.5) (1-1). Townley allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits, a walk and an RBI. For the Hoosiers, 1B Lew Bell (31-4.2) hit a home run.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (1) at Providence (2): Ed Hodges (27-3.2) (1-1) over Skyrocket Rice (23-5.2) (0-1). 1B Ren Mason (22-6.9) hit a 1-out single to win the game in the bottom of the 9th. Hodges allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Rice allowed 7 hits, 7 walks and struck out 4.

Brooklyn (7) at Washington (1): William David (25-3.6) (1-0) over Ed Bush (27-5.3) (1-1). David allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 4. At bat, he hit and RBI double. SS Charlie Smith (30-5.6) had 3 hits with a double, stole 3 bases, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. 3B Ed Cheney (24-7.8) hit a home run and scored 3 times. Bush beaned 4 batters.

Milwaukee (4) at St. Louis (1): Zenas Keough (26-4.5) (1-0) over Con Arnold (24-6.3) (0-1). Keough, whom we released this Spring, allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run.

Chicago (7) at Kansas City (4): Pony Stanley (24-6.2) (1-0) over Dan Butler (30-4.7) (0-1). Stanley allowed 5 hits, 6 walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, April 24, 1888

Detroit Wolverines (1-2 .333 2 GB tied for 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Pittsburgh Puddlers (2-1 .667 1 GB tied for 2nd place)

Dave Frazier, Det. (28-5.4) (L 0-1 2.79 8.4-0.9-2.8) vs. Whitey Mathews, Pitt. (25-4.1) (L 1-0 0.90 2.7-0.9-1.8)

2B Jake Potter (33-6.8) is a switch-hitter, but has never hit lefties very well, even in the minors, so Pat Dunbar (25-8.3) will get the start. He is no relation to rookie CF Ren Dunbar (24-6.8). LF Al Lewis (22-9.1) has had a rough time with Mathews in the past, so Fred Bianco (30-6.9) will get his first action of the year. SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) is 0 for 17 lifetime against Mathews, but will play.

Our old catcher, Evan Eckberg (32-3.5) is starting for Pittsburgh. If we cannot get anyone on base, it won't matter that his defensive skills are nearly non-existent nowadays.

Won - 4 to 2

We did not get our first hit until the 4th inning. 2B Pat Dunbar was beaned in his first plate appearance and his finger is broken and he will miss at least 5 weeks. SS Buck Rudd (33-4.1), who has never appeared in the majors before, was called up from Syracuse. He cannot hit to save his life, but is an excellent glove man. Mathews beaned 3 batters in the game.

Frazier allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and was beaned.

Mathews gave us 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit.

SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) hit a double, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs. C Jimmy Babcock (31-6.9) had 2 hits and was a beaning victim, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Sam Boullion (28-4.8), who came in for Dunbar, had an RBI single in the 8th that gave us the lead.

For the Puddlers, C Evan Eckberg had 2 hits and an RBI. CF Al Steel (28-7.0) had 3 hits, stole a base and scored a run. Rookie SS Ed Hewitt (24-5.6) starting for the injured Jim Ware (34-5.6) hit 2 doubles, but broke his thumb and will miss at least 6 weeks.

Liberty League:
Boston (12) at Louisville (9): William Little (27-6.0) (1-1) over Count Childs (32-3.1) (1-1). You knew the Boston offense could not be contained forever and the finally busted loose in the 9th inning, scoring 6 times to take the lead. 27 hits and 15 errors in this game along with 10 walks and a hit batsman. RF Highball Baxter (22-5.7), who I tried hard to get Boston to part with over the Winter, had 3 hits with a double, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. 3B Bill Gordon (31-3.7), who missed most of last year with an injury, had 3 hits and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. For the Bourbons, ex-Wolverine RF Tom Panozzo (23-2.0) had his 1st 3 hits of the season along with his 1st RBI.

New York (8) at Cincinnati (6): Jack Roberts (36-6.1) (1-1) over John Stevens (31-8.2) (1-1). C George Kinsey (32-3.8), in his 1st game of the season, had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Cleveland (7) at Indianapolis (2): Ed Pedersen (26-5.1) (1-1) over Sal DeVaux (33-3.5) (1-1). Pedersen allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. For the Hoosiers, SS Jake Steitz (29-4.7) became the 1st player to hit his 2nd home run of the season.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (5) at Providence (2): Lee Sprague (28-3.5) (3-0) over Ed Wison (26-7.3) (0-2). Sprague allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. Providence did not score until the 9th inning. For the Grays, CF Al Young (24-4.8) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, stole a base and scored a run.

Brooklyn (3) at Washington (5): Pop Yurkovich (36-5.6) (2-0) over Al Green (25-3.8) (0-3). Yurkovich, who can still throw harder than anyone else, allowed 6 hits, 7 walks and struck out 10. At bat, he had 3 hits and an RBI.

Milwaukee (12) at St. Louis (4): Freddy Wood (31-6.3) (1-2) over Fred Barrow (36-4.7) (0-3). Wood allowed 8 hits, 5 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had 4 RBIs.

Chicago (9) at Kansas City (3): Pat Seguin (24-4.4) (3-0) over Al McClaughry (24-5.6) (2-1). Rookie CF Chief Ingrao (21-5.7) hit a home run.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, April 25, 1888

Liberty League:
Boston (10) at Cincinnati (1): Kid Mathewson (21-6.4) (1-0) in his 1st major league start over Charlie Branham (28-4.2) (0-2). Mathewson allowed 3 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a triple, drew a walk and scored a run. He was a Wolverine for a little bit over the winter. He is one of the most highly touted young pitchers around and we traded for him in the Lou Townley deal with Cleveland for the express purpose of offering him to Boston in a package for Highball Baxter (22-5.7). But Boston would not cooperate and we ended up giving him to them for little return in what, looking back, was a stupid trade. I must have been drunk at the time, though I do not imbibe. Baxter had 3 hits with 2 triples, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For the Reds, manager/LF Silver Borresen (34-6.9) will miss a week with a sore ankle.

Louisville (12) at New York (2): Jumbo Hoops (23-6.5) (1-0) in his 1st major league start over Tom McDowell (24-8.0) (1-1). Hoops allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a 2-run home run. In the minor leagues, he showed very little hitting ability. C Wiley Fobes (37-2.5) hit 2 triples, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. One of the triples came with the bases loaded.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (10) at Providence (3): Tom Lee (30-6.0) (2-1) over Tom Ashton (24-5.2) (0-2). Lee allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. Ashton, who led the GNA in ERA last season, now has an ERA of 6.23 for this season. Two ex-Wolverines had big days for Omaha and will likely help Omaha more in the next 6 weeks and Ed Aldrich will help us: RF Tom Duncan (23-6.6) had 3 hits with 2 triples, scored 3 runs and had an RBI and 2B Jocko Cole (26-6.1) had 3 hits with a triple, his 3rd of the season, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. Omaha made 8 errors but neither of the ex-Wolverines made one.

Brooklyn (3) at Washington (7): Sammy Berry (28-5.5) (2-0) over Ren French (26-4.9) (1-2). Brooklyn made 7 errors and the expansion Monuments are now 5-1.

Milwaukee (10) at St. Louis (11): Tom Wilmarth (28-5.4) (1-2) over Zenas Keough (26-4.5) (1-1) in relief of Zachary Buchanan (27-4.0). Milwaukee scored a run in the top of the 9th to tie the game, but the Terriers scored in the bottom of the inning to win. Joe Olson (31-6.8) pinch-hit single with one out ended the game. St. Louis won, despite not getting an extra-base hit and making 10 errors. For the Brewers, C Jarvis Patten (31-7.3) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Chicago (6) at Kansas City (5) in 10 innings: Pete Rinehart (29-6.2) (3-0) over Lew Burnett (27-4.5) (1-2). In 10 innings, Rinehart allowed 10 hits, 5 walks and struck out 7. The Colts have begun the season 7-0.

[Questdog]

Thursday, April 26, 1888

We now begin a 4 game series in Indianapolis against rookie manager Robert Petruzelli (45-8.6) and his Hoosiers. They have re-aligned their fences here to make home runs ridiculously easy to come by. So far this season, there have been 13 home runs hit in the Liberty league and 7 of them have been hit by the Hoosiers. Otherwise, this place is a tough place to hit with the long grass and the odd painting pattern on the fences making it sometimes tough to see the ball out of the pitcher's hand.

Detroit Wolverines (2-2 .500 1.5 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Indianapolis Hoosiers (2-2 .500 1.5 GB tied for 2nd place)

Al Rice, Det. (23-7.6) (R 1-1 4.24 10.6-1.1-4.8 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Jimmy Euler, Ind. (27-5.5) (R 1-1 3.32 8.5-2.4-2.8)

Euler will be the 1st right-handed pitcher we have faced this season.

Lost - 6 to 4

Our ace is not pitching like an Ace. And when your Ace does not pitch like an Ace, you do not finish in First Place.

After 5 games, the opposing pitchers are batting 6 for 17 (.353) with 2 doubles.

Rice allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6.

Euler gave us 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he had 3 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

CF Fred Negus (24-6.7) had 3 hits with a triple, stole a base and scored a run. LF Al Lewis (22-9.1) hit an inside-the-park home run and drew a walk and stole a base.

For the Hoosiers, Euler was the big hitter, but RF Ed Wakefield (28-5.8) hit an inside-the-park home run, his 2nd round-tripper of the year.

Liberty League:
Cleveland (6) at Pittsburgh (7): Tom Lilly (28-6.4) (2-1) over Lou Townley (26-3.4) (1-2). C Evan Eckberg (32-3.5) hit 2 doubles and had 2 RBIs. You might be thinking that Townley is not doing any better than Rice, since they are both now 1-2, but Townley has an ERA of 1.69 and a WHIP under 1.00 while Rice has an ERA of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.32.

Boston (5) at Cincinnati (3) in 11 innings: Dave Wolf (25-4.7) (1-2) over William Butina (25-5.6) (0-1) in his first major league start. In 11 innings, Wolf allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. He did not allow an earned run. C Hub West (34-6.7) hit a home run.

Louisville (1) at New York (2): Miah Turner (27-5.3) (1-0) in his 1st start of the season over William McLeod (28-5.6) (2-1). Turner allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. McLeod allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (6) at Providence (11): Ed Hodges (27-3.2) (2-1) over Skyrocket Rice (23-5.2) (0-2). 3B Ed Knight (25-5.1) had 3 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. For the Mutuals, rookie 1B Tom Durkin (22-6.6) hit a home run.

Brooklyn (5) at Washington (4) in 11 innings: William David (25-3.6) (2-0) over Pop Yurkovich (36-5.6) (2-1) in relief of Ed Bush (27-5.3). In 11 innings, David allowed 8 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. It was the 2nd relief appearance of Yurkovich's career. In 9 innings, Bush allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6.

Milwaukee (0) at St. Louis (4): Con Arnold (24-6.3) (1-1) over Zenas Keough (26-4.5) (1-2). Arnold allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out none. Keough allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. 3B Kid Powell (25-7.5) had 3 hits with 2 doubles and scored a run. For the Brewers, C Tim Fish (33-5.4) cracked a rib in a collision and will miss about 6 weeks. He was the runner and not the receiver.

Chicago (3) at Kansas City (6): Dan Butler (30-4.7) (1-1) over Pony Stanley (24-6.2) (1-1). Butler allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he hit a double, drew a walk and scored a run.

Elsewhere:
It was Opening Day for all the minor leagues today and Charlie Morlock (38-6.7) gave up 9 runs for Buffalo in the International League (A), though only 2 of them were earned. In 8 innings, he allowed 12 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. It does not look good for him to get those 3 more wins to reach 300. He lost to 36-year-old Levi Giddens (36-4.8) who was 23-47 in his major league career.

[Questdog]

Friday, April 27, 1888

Detroit Wolverines (2-3 .400 1.5 GB tied for 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Indianapolis Hoosiers (3-2 .600 0.5 GB tied for 2nd place)

Dave Frazier, Det. (28-5.7) (L 1-1 1.93 9.2-1.0-2.9 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Sal DeVaux, Ind. (33-3.5) (R 1-1 3.00 8.5-4.0-1.5)

Jake Potter (33-6.8) made 2 errors in his 1st start at second, so we will be starting our 4th different second baseman in 6 games today as Sam Boullion (28-4.8) gets the call.

Won - 3 to 2

SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) knocked in the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th.

Frazier allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2.

DeVaux gave us 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. At bat, he hit a double.

2B Sam Boullion had 2 hits with a double. 3B Jesse Flanders (27-5.4) hit 2 doubles and scored 2 runs, including the go-ahead run in the 9th. LF Al Lewis (22-9.1) had 2 hits, stole a base and had an RBI.

For the Hoosiers, 3B Fred Boss (24-6.0) had 3 hits with a double and an inside-the-park home run, stole a base and scored twice. LF Dick Thacker (27-7.6) wrenched his back on a diving catch and will miss a few weeks.

Unpleasant fact: We are, so far, the worst team at throwing out base stealers, only catching 1 fella in 13 tries. Rice stinks at holding runners close, but Frazier is very good and runners are 6-1 off of him.

Liberty League:
Cleveland (5) at Pittsburgh (9): Whitey Mathews (25-4.1) (2-1) over Ed Pedersen (26-5.1) (1-2). Mathews allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. At bat, he had 3 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Boston (9) at Cincinnati (6) in 10 innings: William Little (27-6.0) (2-1) over Charlie Branham (28-4.2) (0-3). Manager/1B Pete Bucolo (40-4.1) hit a home run. 2B Ducky Hogan (27-5.3) sprained his thumb and will miss about a week. For the Reds, RF Fleet Wilcox (31-4.9) hit a home run in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game up.

Louisville (9) at New York (3): Count Childs (32-3.1) (2-1) over Jack Roberts (36-6.1) (1-2). Childs allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. 1B Pete Hinde (32-7.9) hit a double and a triple, drew a walk, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For the Gothams, 3B Ed Glass (28-4.5) hit 2 doubles, scored a run and had an RBI, but strained his groin and will miss 4 to 5 weeks.

Grand National Association:
Providence (8) at Brooklyn (6): Ed Wison (26-7.3) (1-2) over Al Green (25-3.8) (0-4). Providence scored 7 times in the 2nd inning, punctuated by LF Charlie Gregor's (29-5.2) bases-loaded home run. For the Gladiators, CF Tom Campbell (29-3.6) had 3 hits with a triple and a home run and had 3 RBIs.

Omaha (5) at Washington (3) in 10 innings: Lee Sprague (28-3.5) (4-0) over Pop Yurkovich (36-5.6) (2-2). In 10 innings, Sprague allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. Yurkovich allowed 7 hits, 5 walks and struck out 6.

[Questdog]

Saturday, April 28, 1888

Detroit Wolverines (3-3 .500 1.5 GB tied for 4th place in the Liberty League) at
Indianapolis Hoosiers (3-3 .500 1.5 GB tied for 4th place)

Jiggs Niedermeyer, Det. (24-5.8) (R 1-0 2.67 9.2-2.7-2.4 last year H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Frank McSherry, Ind. (32-4.1) (R 13-12 4.08 9.6-4.7-3.1 last year)

This will be the 2nd start of Niedermeyer's career.

If we are going to be an offensive juggernaut this season, we may want to start scoring some runs. We scored 13 times on Opening Day and 13 times in the 5 games since.

Won - 5 to 4 in 10 innings.

RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) hit a home run to tie the game in the 9th inning and CF Fred Negus (24-6.7) stole 3rd in the 10th inning and scored when the catcher's throw went into left field.

In 10 innings, Niedermeyer allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2.

McSherry gave us 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he, of course, had a hit and scored a run.

2B Sam Boullion had 2 hits and an RBI. Besides the 9th inning home run, RF Ben Smith was also beaned twice, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs. C Jimmy Babcock (31-6.9) hit a double, scored a run and had an RBI, but did not throw out anyone.

For the Hoosiers, Rf Ed Wakefield (28-5.8) hit his 3rd home run of the season, another inside-the-park jobber with a man on base.

More unpleasant facts: We are last in the League in batting average (.197) and scoring runs. On the bright side, if we can go 4-3 when we are the worst hitting club in the circuit, then once the bats get going we should jump right up to first place! That is, if they get going. Only Ben Smith and Sam Boullion have stats they don't need to be ashamed of. 1B Sam Cowan (31-5.1) had 2 hits on Opening Day and has 1 in the 6 games since.

Liberty League:
Cleveland (4) at Pittsburgh (2): Artie Boucher (25-6.1) (1-0) over Joe Peters (32-4.9) (0-1). Boucher allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Peters allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 7. Ed William (27-6.0) hit a home run.

Boston (6) at Cincinnati (7): John Stevens (31-8.2) (2-1) over Kid Mathewson (21-6.4) (1-1). CF Ed Robling (25-7.3) had 3 hits with a double and a walk, stole 3 bases, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For the Shamrocks, 3B Bill Gordon (31-3.7) and pinch-hitter Jocko Breton (25-4.5) each hit a home run. Gordon also hit a double and drew a walk and scored 3 runs.

Louisville (1) at New York (4): Tom McDowell (24-8.0) (2-1) over Jumbo Hoops (23-6.5) (1-1). McDowell allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. Hoops allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4.

Grand National Association:
Providence (8) at Brooklyn (1): Tom Ashton (24-5.2) (1-2) over Ren French (26-4.9) (1-3). Ashton allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. C Spider Sullivan (27-6.7) had 3 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI and threw out the only runner to attempt a steal.

Omaha (9) at Washington (7) in 10 innings: Tom Lee (30-6.0) (3-1) over Sammy Berry (28-5.5) (2-1). Berry did not pitch very well, but at the plate, he had 2 hits with a home run. 2B Jocko Cole (26-6.1) had 3 hits with a double and a walk, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Washington has lost 3 in a row, all in extra innings.

Milwaukee (1) at Chicago (7): Pat Seguin (24-4.4) (4-0) over Freddy Wood (31-6.3) (1-3). Seguin allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit and 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Sunday, April 29, 1888

Grand National Association:
Providence (6) at Brooklyn (2): Ed Hodges (27-3.2) (3-1) over William David (25-3.6) (2-1). Hodges allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. SS Tom Hepner (25-7.1) had 3 hits with a triple and 3 RBIs. C Spider Sullivan (27-6.7) hit a home run.

Milwaukee (12) at Chicago (13): Pete Rinehart (29-6.2) (4-0) over Zachary Buchanan (27-4.0) (1-2). Each team made 6 errors. Buchanan only allowed 1 earned run. RF Washington Macho (38-8.3) hit a double and a triple, drew a walk, scored 4 runs and had 2 RBis. C Fred Blevins (29-6.4), another player I tried to get this Winter, but failed, had 3 hits and a walk, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 4 RBIs. For the Brewers, 2B Lou Bohus (28-5.4) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base and had 4 RBIs. CF Dave Gray (27-4.9), who won the Gold Glove at first base last year and is no center fielder, had 2 hits with a double and 2 walks, scored 4 runs and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Monday, April 30, 1888

Detroit Wolverines (4-3 .571 0.5 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Indianapolis Hoosiers (3-4 .429 1.5 GB tied for 6th place)

Al Rice, Det. (23-7.6) (R 1-2 4.68 10.4-1.4-5.4 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Jimmy Euler, Ind. (27-5.5) (R 2-1 2.89 8.4-1.9-2.9)

Won - 8 to 0

Finally our Ace looked like an Ace. Hopefully it is the start of a trend! There have been 2 shutouts now in the Liberty League this season and Rice was on the receiving end of one and the giving end of the other.

Jimmy Euler only made it into the 2nd inning and then had to leave with a sore thumb, but should be fine tomorrow. Sal DeVaux (33-3.5) came in and took the loss. He is now 0-2.

Rice allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

We had 10 hits and made 2 errors. Indy made 6.

1B Sam Cowan (32-5.1) snapped out of his 1 for 25 slump with a pair of hits, including his 1st home run of the year. He also drew a walk and scored 2 runs. RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. C Jimmy Babcock (31-6.9) hit 2 doubles, scored 2 runs and had an RBI and threw out a would-be base stealer.

More unpleasant facts: 4 of our 8 starters are batting under .200.

Liberty League:
Cincinnati (8) at Louisville (6): William Butina (25-5.6) (1-1) over William McLeod (28-5.6) (2-2). 1B Willie Burton (32-8.5) hit a 3 run home-run in the top of the 9th to give the Reds the lead. He had 2 hits, 2 walks and 4 RBIs. Ex-Wolverine and all around unpleasant guy Tom Panozzo (23-2.0) hit a home run for the Bourbons.

Cleveland (6) at Pittsburgh (2): Lou Townley (26-3.4) (2-2) over Tom Lilly (28-6.4) (2-2). Townley allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. C Charlie Harris (27-5.9) had 4 hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

Boston (4) at New York (2): Dave Wolf (25-4.7) (2-2) over Miah Turner (27-5.3) (1-1). Wolf allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out no one. At bat, he had 3 hits with a double, but no runs or RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Brooklyn (2) at Providence (3): Ed Wison (27-7.3) (2-2) over Al Green (25-3.8) (0-5). Wison allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. Green, who many thought was a candidate to win the Hurler Trophy this year, allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4.

Omaha (4) at Washington (5): Ed Bush (27-5.3) (2-1) over Skyrocket Rice (23-5.2) (0-3). Bush allowed 6 hits, 5 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he hit a triple, drew a walk and scored a run. For Omaha, 2B Jocko Cole (26-6.1) had to leave with a bruised ankle after getting hit by a pitch. He should be fine to play and fully recovered in a few days.

Milwaukee (1) at Chicago (4): Pony Stanley (24-6.2) (2-1) over Zenas Keough (26-4.5) (1-3). Stanley allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 8.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 1, 1888

And now we finally get our home opener! In fact we will get to spend the next 3+ weeks at home, so the wait was worth it!

First in, will be manager Jesse Courtney (39-5.1) and his Puddlers for a 4 game series. We split 4 games with them in Pittsburgh to start the season. So far, they are 6th in scoring runs with 4.4 per game (Detroit is 5th with 4.9). They are 4th in runs allowed with 5.0 per game (Detroit is #1 with 3.4).

Pittsburgh Puddlers (4-4 .500 1 GB tied for 4th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (5-3 .625 1st place)

Whitey Mathews, Pitt. (25-4.1) (L 2-1 1.61 5.8-1.0-1.9 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Dave Frazier, Det. (28-5.7) (L 2-1 1.95 9.1-1.0-2.6)

This will be the 3rd time we have faced Mathews already. We are 1-1, but only have 11 hits in 19 innings.

All the bench guys will get to play today, since the starters have not hit Mathews anyway.

Won - 4 to 3

LF Ben Smith (28-6.7) hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th to give us the lead. It is his 2nd home run of the year

Frazier allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit.

Mathews gave us 10 hits, no walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had a hit.

We made 3 errors and Pittsburgh made 5.

RF Fred Bianco (29-6.9) had 2 hits with a home run and threw out a runner at third. 3B Jake Potter (33-6.8) was injured on that play at third and will miss about 2 weeks. 1B Sam Cowan (32-5.1) had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI.

For the Puddlers, RF Ace Trimmell (30-5.0) had 2 hits and an RBI and threw out 3 base runners at third base.

Liberty League:
Boston (5) at New York (3): William Little (27-6.0) (3-1) over Jack Roberts (36-6.1) (1-3). Little allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. Roberts pitched even better, but his Gothams made 5 errors and the Shamrocks only made 1. Roberts allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6.

Cincinnati (5) at Louisville (3): John Stevens (31-8.2) (3-1) over Count Childs (32-3.1) (2-2). Stevens allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6.

Indianapolis (10) at Cleveland (5): Jimmy Euler (27-5.5) (3-1) over Artie Boucher (25-6.1) (1-1). Euler cracked a rib running the bases and will miss about 5 weeks. LF Dave McQueary (25-5.0) hit a home run in his first game of the season. For the Spiders, SS Cowboy Gray (25-7.8) hit 2 triples, scored a run and had an RBI. LF Tom Laarman (27-7.8) sprained his ankle and will miss 4 to 5 weeks. Before the game, the Spiders sent P Ed Pedersen (26-5.1) to the minors and called up rookie P Willard Clapp (25-4.3). Pedersen led the Liberty League in innings and losses the past 2 seasons.

Grand National Association:
Brooklyn (1) at Providence (2): Tom Ashton (24-5.2) (2-2) over Ren French (26-4.9) (1-4). RF Sy Cullum (25-5.9) hit a 2-out single in the bottom of the 9th to win the game. Ashton allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. French only allowed 4 hits (2 in the 9th), 1 walk and struck out no one.

Omaha (5) at Washington (7): Pop Yurkovich (36-5.6) (3-2) over Lee Sprague (28-3.5) (4-1). Yurkovich allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. This has been asked before, but could this finally be the year Yurky has a winning season? 2B Kitty Covington (23-5.4) had 4 hits, stole a base and scored a run.

St. Louis (2) at Kansas City (13): Al McClaughry (24-5.6) (3-1) over Con Arnold (24-6.3) (1-2). McClaughry allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Milwaukee (5) at Chicago (6) in 10 innings: Pat Seguin (24-4.4) (5-0) over Freddy Wood (31-6.3) (1-4). 2B Eb Provost (24-4.6) hit a 2-out triple in the bottom of the 10th and scored on a wild pitch to win the game. In 10 innings, Seguin allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 2, 1888

Pittsburgh Puddlers (4-5 .444 2 GB tied for 4th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (6-3 .625 1st place)

Joe Peters, Pitt. (32-4.9) (L 0-1 2.70 8.1-4.5-6.3 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Jiggs Niedermeyer, Det. (24-5.8) (R 1-0 3.60 6.3-1.8-1.8)

Lost - 3 to 0

Niedermeyer pulled a muscle and only went 4 innings. He should be fine in a week.

In 4 innings, Niedermeyer allowed 2 runs, 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1.
Al Rice (23-7.6) pitched the final 5 innings, allowed an unearned run, 4 hits, no walks and struck out 3.

Peters gave us 2 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. And Boston just released this guy.

Each team made 2 errors.

CF Fred Negus (24-6.7) had both of our hits.

For the Puddlers, our old catcher Evan Eckberg (32-3.5) had 2 hits with a double and threw out the only fella that tried to steal. Rookie 1B Lou Green (23-5.9) hit 2 doubles and a triple, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI.

Liberty League:
Boston (4) at New York (1): Kid Mathewson (21-6.4) (2-1) over Tom McDowell (24-8.0) (2-2). Mathewson allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 1.

Cincinnati (2) at Louisville (5): Jumbo Hoops (23-6.5) (2-1) over Charlie Branham (28-4.2) (0-4). Hoops allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. 3B Sam Clark (37-4.7) tore his calf muscle and will miss 4 to 5 months.

Indianapolis (1) at Cleveland (4): Lou Townley (26-3.4) (3-2) over Levi Giddens (36-4.8) (0-1). Townley allowed 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. Rookie CF Jimmy King (24-4.5) had 3 hits and 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Washington (7) at Brooklyn (5): Sammy Berry (28-5.5) (3-1) over William David (25-3.6) (2-2). RF John Hagadorn (38-6.3), one of the original Haymakers, had 3 hits with a double and a home run and 2 RBIs. For Brooklyn, David did not pitch too bad (9 hits allowed, no walks and 7 strikeouts) and he hit a home run.

Providence (9) at Omaha (12): Tom Lee (30-6.0) (4-1) over Ed Hodges (27-3.2) (3-2). Lee stunk in the pitcher's box but shined in the batter's box with 3 hits, including 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. SS Dave Henderson (25-4.1) had 3 hits with a home run and 3 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 3, 1888

Pittsburgh Puddlers (5-5 .500 1.5 GB tied for 4th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (6-4 .600 2nd place)

Tom Lilly, Pitt. (28-6.4) (L 2-2 3.60 8.2-2.3-4.1 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Dave Frazier, Det. (28-5.7) (L 3-1 2.21 8.8-0.7-2.5)

We are 1-1 against Lilly so far. We crushed him on Opening Day but then were shutout the second time facing him.

Won - 6 to 4

All the scoring was done by the 5th inning.

Frazier 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2.

Lilly gave us 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3.

Each team made 2 errors.

CF Fred Negus (24-6.7) had 2 hits and was hit by a pitch, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs. He was also caught stealing for the 5th time this year after only being caught 11 times all last season. 1B Sam Cowan (32-5.1) had a hit and a walk, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. 3B Jesse Flanders (28-5.4) had a hit and 2 RBIs and 8 assists.

For the Puddlers, rookie 1B Lou Green (23-5.9) hit 2 hits with a triple and a walk, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Liberty League:
Boston (3) at New York (4): Miah Turner (27-5.3) (2-1) over Dave Wolf (25-4.7) (2-3). The Gothams scored all of their runs in the 7th inning. Turner allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 2.

Cincinnati (0) at Louisville (8): William McLeod (28-5.6) (3-2) over William Butina (25-5.6) (1-2). First shutout in the Liberty League this year to not involve any active Wolverines, only exes. McLeod allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 5. RF Tom Panozzo (23-2.0) had 2 hits with a triple and was hit by a pitch, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Rookie 2B Tom Walker (25-3.8) has a swollen elbow and will likely miss 4 to 5 weeks.

Indianapolis (4) at Cleveland (5): Willard Clapp (25-4.3) (1-0) in his 1st major league start over Sal DeVaux (33-3.5) (1-4). Clapp allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. SS Cowboy Gray (25-7.8) hit a home run. For the Hoosiers, RF Ed Wakefield (28-5.8) had 2 hits with his 4th home run of the season and 3 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Washington (9) at Brooklyn (8): Ed Bush (27-5.3) (3-1) over Al Green (25-3.8) (0-6). Brooklyn scored 5 times in the bottom of the 9th but came up short of a miracle. LF Jack Grossman (32-7.1) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. SS John Ingling (28-4.6) tore a muscle and will miss about 5 weeks. For the Gladiators, 3B Joe Henry (35-9.2), in his 1st start of the season, hit 2 doubles and a home run, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Providence (3) at Omaha (5): Skyrocket Rice (23-5.2) (1-3) over Ed Wison (27-7.3) (2-3). Rice allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8.

St. Louis (4) at Chicago (10): Pete Rinehart (29-6.2) (5-0) over Fred Barrow (36-4.7) (0-4). 2B Eb Provost (24-4.6) had 4 hits with a triple, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. Former 2-time Liberty League Home Run King, Joe Vaughan (33-5.2), who missed most of last season with an injury, will miss the next 6 weeks with a pulled hamstring.

Kansas City (7) at Milwaukee (3): Lew Burnett (27-4.5) (2-2) over Zachary Buchanan (27-4.0) (1-3). Burnett allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. LF Lou Baggett (26-4.2), who missed all of last season with an injury after leading the GNA in RBIs the year before, had 4 hits with a double and a home run and 5 RBIs. Rookie C Billy Hammer (35-4.5) will miss a month with a pulled muscle.

[Questdog]

Friday, May 4, 1888

Pittsburgh Puddlers (5-6 .455 2 GB tied for 5th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (7-4 .636 1st place)

Whitey Mathews, Pitt. (25-4.1) (L 2-2 2.00 8.8-0.8-1.8 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Al Rice, Det. (23-7.6) (R 2-2 3.00 8.5-1.4-5.1)

Won - 6 to 4

Ugly game on our part and we were lucky to prevail. The Puddlers scored a run in the 9th and had the tying run on base with only 1 out, but a ground ball double-play ended the game.

Rice allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had 2 hits and an RBI, but in the field he made 3 errors.

Mathews gave us 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2.

We made 7 errors and Pittsburgh made 5.

CF Fred Negus (24-6.7) hit a triple, stole a base and scored 2 runs. RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) hit a double, stole 2 bases, scored a run and had an RBI. 3B Jesse Flanders (28-5.4) had 2 hits and scored a run. SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) had a hit, stole a base and had 2 RBIs. C Cliff Robinson (30-6.1) hit a double, drew a walk and scored a run.

For the Puddlers, 2B Jumbo Lynn (28-3.8) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base and scored a run.

Liberty League:
Indianapolis (7) at Cleveland (8): Artie Boucher (25-6.1) (2-1) over Frank McSherry (32-4.1) (0-2). CF Ed William (27-6.0) had 2 hits and a walk, stole 2 bases and scored 3 runs. LF Jake Howard (29-4.6) had 2 hits with a home run and 4 RBIs. 3B Charlie Taylor (32-5.2) pulled a muscle and will miss about 6 weeks. For the Hoosiers, CF Dick Thacker (27-7.6) hit a home run.

Grand National Association:
St. Louis (6) at Chicago (4): Con Arnold (24-6.3) (2-2) over Pat Seguin (24-4.4) (5-1). The Terriers scored 3 times in the top of the 9th to take the lead. Arnold allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. At bat, he had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Kansas City (4) at Milwaukee (0): Al McClaughry (24-5.6) (4-1) over Freddy Wood (31-6.3) (1-5). McClaughry allowed 5 hits, no walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had 2 hits.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 5, 1888

Manager/1B Pete Bucolo (40-4.1) has his new-look Shamrocks (née Red Caps) in town for a 4 game series. After getting stymied in the first few games by Louisville, they have begun to score runs in their usual gluttonous fashion and are currently 3rd overall with 5.3 runs per game (Detroit is tied for 4th with 4.6). They are also 3rd in runs allowed with 4.0 per game (Detroit is #1 with 3.4).

It certainly is odd seeing them in their new green uniforms.

Boston Shamrocks (7-5 .583 1 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (8-4 .667 1st place)

Rice and Frazier are both tired from recent games and Niedermeyer is still hurt, so I had to put him on the Disabled List and called up Wild Bill Perrell to start this game. So far in his professional career, he has shown great control, but not a lot else. I keep meaning to ask him how he got his nickname, but forget every time I have the opportunity.

William Little, Bos. (27-6.0) (R 3-1 2.12 10.3-2.6-4.2 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Wild Bill Perrell, Det. (24-7.3) (R 1-1 2.00 8.5-1.0-3.0 in A Ball)

Won - 9 to 1

Well, I must say that was very fun and very unexpected!

Perrell allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI.

Little gave us a season-high 14 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5.

We made 1 error and Boston made 4.

RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) hit his 3rd home run of the season. 3B Jesse Flanders (28-5.4) had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored 3 runs. LF Al Lewis (22-9.1) had 2 hits and an RBI. C Jimmy Babcock (31-6.9) had 4 hits with a double, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

For the Shamrocks, 3B Highball Baxter (22-5.7) left the game with a pulled muscle, but should be fine to play tomorrow, though he may be a bit gimpy for 4 or 5 days.

Liberty League:
New York (9) at Indianapolis (1): Jack Roberts (36-6.1) (2-3) over Levi Giddens (36-4.8) (0-2). Roberts allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. LF Fred James (24-5.3) hit a triple and a home run and had 5 RBIs. For the Hoosiers, RF Ed Wakefield (28-5.8) hit his 5th home run of the young season. There were some seasons where no one hit 5 home runs all year!

Cincinnati (15) at Cleveland (6): John Stevens (31-8.2) (4-1) over Willard Clapp (25-4.3). Last season's Rookie of the Year, 2B Ed Kent (24-3.6), had 3 hits with a double and a walk, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 5 RBIs. RF Fleet Wilcox (31-4.9) hit his 2nd home run of the year. He walked twice, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Washington (2) at Brooklyn (4): William David (25-3.6) (3-2) over Pop Yurkovich (36-5.6) (3-3). David allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Yurkovich allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. RF Tom Campbell (29-3.6) strained his hip and will miss 3 weeks.

Providence (0) at Omaha (4): Lee Sprague (28-3.5) (5-1) over Tom Ashton (24-5.2) (2-3). Sprague allowed 2 hits, no walks and struck out 6. At bat, he had 2 hits.

St. Louis (0) at Chicago (2): Pony Stanley (24-6.2) (3-1) over Tom Wilmarth (28-5.4) (1-3). Stanley allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits and scored a run.

Kansas City (7) at Milwaukee (5): Dan Butler (30-4.7) (2-1) over Zenas Keough (27-4.5) (1-4).

[Questdog]

Sunday, May 6, 1888

Grand National Association:
Washington (3) at Brooklyn (4): Al Green (25-3.8) (1-6) over Ed Bush (27-5.3) (3-2). Green allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. Bush allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.

St. Louis (8) at Chicago (4): Fred Barrow (36-4.7) (1-4) over Pete Rinehart (29-6.2) (5-1). Barrow allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he hit a double. 1B Ed Zarnoch (26-4.1) had 3 hits and a walk and scored 2 runs. For the Colts, 1B Ike Allen (34-5.3) had 3 hits with 2 doubles and scored a run. CF Jimmy Cast (23-3.6) had 2 hits with a double, stole 2 bases, scored a run and had an RBI. In 8 games, he has stolen 19 bases!

Kansas City (2) at Milwaukee (3): Zachary Buchanan (27-4.0) (2-3) over Lew Burnett (27-4.5) (2-3). Buchanan allowed 8 hits, no walks and struck out 3.

[Questdog]

Monday, May 7, 1888

Boston Shamrocks (7-6 .538 2 GB tied for 3rd place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (9-4 .692 1st place)

Dave Wolf, Bos. (25-4.7) (R 2-3 1.01 6.9-3.4-2.4 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Al Rice, Det. (23-7.6) (R 3-2 2.63 8.4-1.1-5.4)

Won - 3 to 1

Rice allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6.

Wolf gave us 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4.

We made 1 error and Boston made 3.

CF Fred Negus (24-6.7) had a hit and a walk, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs. 2B Sam Boullion (28-4.8) had a hit and 2 RBIs and started 2 double-plays in the field.

Liberty League:
Louisville (3) at Pittsburgh (10): Tom Lilly (28-6.4) (3-3) over William McLeod (28-5.6) (3-3). Lilly allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. C Wilson Wendling (27-4.1) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

New York (18) at Indianapolis (0): Miah Turner (27-5.3) (3-1) over Sal DeVaux (33-3.5). Turner allowed 1 hit (a single in the 2nd), no walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits with a home run and scored 3 runs. The Gothams hit 5 home runs. 2B Bill Baker (26-3.6), SS Dave Hay (26-5.7), LF Fred James (24-5.3) (his 2nd of the season) and 3B Sol Renaud (31-5.7) also hit home runs. Renaud's came with the bases loaded. He had 2 hits and a walk, scored 4 runs and had 6 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Providence (9) at Omaha (8): Ed Hodges (27-3.2) (4-2) over Tom Lee (30-6.0) (4-2). 3B Ed Knight (25-5.1) had 2 hits with a bases-loaded triple, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. For the Mutuals, SS Dave Henderson (25-4.1) hit his 2nd home run of the season.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 8, 1888

Our game with Boston was rained out today and since the Shamrocks have to catch an early train for Pittsburgh tomorrow, we will not play a double-header.

Liberty League:
New York (6) at Indianapolis (7): Levi Giddens (36-4.8) (1-2) over Ed Moody (31-6.9). Moody is not normally a pitcher, but an outfielder. He was pressed into service and walked in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. Roberts broke his hand when he was hit by a pitch and will miss at least 6 weeks. 2B Kid Stevens (26-8.4) hit 2 doubles and his 2nd home run of the season and had 2 RBIs. RF Ed Wakefield (28-5.8) hit 2 more home runs to give him 7 already this year. Granted, his home park is ridiculous, but no one else has hit 7 home runs. He has 9 hits at home this year, 6 of them home runs.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (3) at Chicago (1): Al McClaughry (24-5.6) (5-1) over Pat Seguin (24-4.4) (5-2). McClaughry allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1. Seguin allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he hit a double.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 9, 1888

Boston Shamrocks (7-7 .500 3 GB tied for 4th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (10-4 .714 1st place)

William Little, Bos. (27-6.0) (R 3-2 3.21 11.4-2.6-4.5 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Dave Frazier, Det. (28-5.7) (L 4-1 2.56 8.7-0.8-2.4)

Lost - 6 to 4

The game was tied at 4 going into the 9th, but 2 errors sunk us.

Frazier allowed 14 hits, no walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had a hit.

Little gave us 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5.

Each team made 4 errors.

RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) had 3 hits, stole a base and had an RBI. LF Al Lewis (22-9.1) hit a double and scored a run. C Cliff Robinson (30-6.1) had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI and threw out the only player to attempt a steal.

For the Shamrocks, CF Pat Stafford (27-5.4) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Liberty League:
New York (4) at Indianapolis (14): Frank McSherry (32-4.1) (1-2) over Tom McWilliams (26-4.3) in his major league debut. McSherry allowed 3 hits, 6 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he hit a double, drew a walk, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. CF Dick Thacker (27-7.6), playing with a bruised thigh, had 4 hits with a double and a walk and scored 4 runs. C Sandy McKinnon (28-4.0) hit a home run. For the Gothams, last season's Home Run King, 1B John Hilliard (28-7.2) hit his 1st home run of this season.

Louisville (4) at Pittsburgh (2): Count Childs (32-3.1) (3-2) over Whitey Mathews (25-4.1) (2-4). Childs allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. Mathews also only allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 8.

Cincinnati (4) at Cleveland (5): Lou Townley (26-3.4) (4-2) over John Stevens (31-8.2) (4-2). Townley allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 5. Cleveland only made 1 error. Stevens allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. For the Reds, CF Ed Robling (25-7.3) broke his wrist and will likely miss at least 2 months.

Grand National Association:
Brooklyn (4) at Providence (2): Al Green (25-3.8) (2-6) over Tom Ashton (24-5.2) (2-4). Green allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. Ashton allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 8. CF Joe Kraus (31-7.9) had 3 hits, stole a base and scored a run. He is now hitting .435 with an 1.132 OPS for the Gladiators. His OPS was under .500 for us last season.

Kansas City (10) at Chicago (6): Lew Burnett (27-4.5) (3-3) over Pete Rinehart (29-6.2) (5-2). 1B Tommy Dyer (30-3.8) had 3 hits with 2 triples, scored 3 runs and had an RBI.

St. Louis (4) at Milwaukee (9): Zachary Buchanan (27-4.0) (3-3) over Con Arnold (24-6.3) (2-3). Arnold had to leave in the 3rd inning with a torn muscle in his back. He will miss 4 to 5 months, they say. RF Ed Capps (25-6.1) had 4 hits with a double and a home run, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. For the Terriers, 3B Kid Powell (25-7.5) had 4 hits with 2 doubles, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 10, 1888

Manager Elmer Higgins (42-6.4) has his Bourbons in town to begin a 4 game series today. They are 4th in the League in scoring with 5.2 runs per game (Detroit is down to a tie for 6th with 4.7). They are 2nd in runs allowed with 3.9 per game (Detroit is #1 with 3.3).

No matter how much things change, they stay the same. I tried very hard this winter to get good hitters for our Wolverines and everyone I traded for had a pretty good year last season and was young enough to expect that they would get even better. But no one on the team is hitting much except RF Ben Smith (28-6.7) and C Jimmy Babcock (31-6.9), neither of whom is new. And a lot of the guys I traded away our flourishing away from Detroit..... I also tried to get guys who were more selective about the pitches they swung at as most of the players I traded away swung at just about anything the pitcher tossed up there, but we are 2nd to last in walks taken.

Louisville Bourbons (8-6 .571 1.5 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (10-5 .667 1st place)

William McLeod, Lou. (28-5.6) (R 3-3 1.90 8.3-2.4-6.1 H/9-BB/9-SO/9) vs. Al Rice, Det. (23-7.6) (R 4-2 2.37 7.9-1.1-5.5)

Won - 6 to 4

Rice allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 3.

McLeod gave us 10 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3.

We made 2 errors and Louisville made 4.

1B Sam Cowan (32-5.1) had 2 hits and an RBI. SS Ed Engelhardt (23-5.0) had 3 hits and a walk and scored 2 runs. C Jimmy Babcock (31-6.9) had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Liberty League:
Cincinnati (10) at Indianapolis (2): Charlie Branham (28-4.2) (1-4) over Sal DeVaux (33-3.5). Branham allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. 2B Ed Kent (24-3.6) had 2 hits with a home run and 3 RBIs. SS Tub Saslow (22-5.8) had 3 hits and a walk, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. For the Hoosiers, SS Jake Steitz (29-4.7) will miss a week or so with a sore wrist.

Boston (9) at Pittsburgh (10) in 10 innings: Tom Lilly (28-6.4) (4-3) over Dave Wolf (25-4.7) (2-5). Pittsburgh scored twice in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game and 2B Jumbo Lynn (28-3.8) knocked home the winning run with 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th. Lynn had 4 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Our exiled catcher, Evan Eckberg (32-3.5) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. He is now hitting .400 on the season. For the Shamrocks, C Frank Douglas (33-5.8) had 4 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 2B Ducky Hogan (27-5.3) had 3 hits with 2 triples, scored a run and had 4 RBIs.

New York (4) at Cleveland (5): Artie Boucher (25-6.1) (3-1) over Miah Turner (27-5.3) (3-2). For the Gothams, SS Dave Hay (26-5.7) hit a 3-run homer, his 2nd long ball of the year.

Grand National Association:
Washington (6) at Omaha (7): Lee Sprague (28-3.5) (6-1) over Ed Bush (27-5.3) (3-3). SS Dave Henderson (25-4.1) had 2 hits with his 3rd home run of the season and 3 RBIs. Another of our cast-offs who is suddenly a hitter is CF Ben Spencer (27-4.2) of the Monuments, who had 3 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. He leads Washington with 11 RBIs on the season. For us last year, he had 1 RBI and no extra-base hits in 19 games.

Kansas City (5) at Chicago (15): Pony Stanley (24-6.2) (4-1) over Dan Butler (30-4.7) (2-2). Butler broke his own all-time record set 2 years ago by walking 13 batters. Stanley allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

St. Louis (10) at Milwaukee (8): Tom Wilmarth (28-5.4) (2-3) over Zenas Keough (27-4.5) (1-5) in relief of Freddy Wood (31-6.3). LF Pat Matthews (25-5.1) had 2 hits with a triple and 2 walks, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. For the Brewers, Wood had to leave in the 1st inning with a sore shoulder and will miss about 3 weeks they say. Andy Byl (34-4.0), normally an infielder for the Brewers, pitched a perfect inning of relief. Another of the players I traded away this Winter, 1B George House (29-4.3) hit a home run. He's batting .375 on the season.