The Liberty League, Est. 1876

[Questdog]

Here's the Skinny on the Skunk Bears

Last year we won the Liberty League Championship by beating the Boston Red Caps in a 1 game play-off for the title, but if we had to play it over, would we still come out on top? Were we clearly the best team in the league? Probably not. If you look at the runs scored and allowed for both teams for the whole season, Boston's numbers were superior.

So, we could not rest on our laurels and expect to repeat as the Champions. And we have not. The money I could not figure out how to spend last season has been spent this season and we will be a much better team and probably the best in the League, if everyone stays healthy.

I am very excited to get this season under way.

Pitchers
William McLeod (26-5.6)
In my Opening Day report last season I said the whole season rested on McLeod's shoulders and if he could pitch the way he did in the Spring games for the whole season, we'd have a shot at the title. Well, he responded and improved from 10-23 to 38-14 and cut over 2 runs off his ERA. This Spring, he was super strong and I expect him to be able to repeat his numbers from last year. The difference this year is that even if he fails to repeat his performance, we will still have a shot because we have more depth this go 'round.

Lou Townley (24-3.4)
You may remember me wistfully wishing that I could have Townley on the Wolverines last season when we were facing the Washington Nationals. In my widest dreams, I never expected to have the opportunity to see my wish come true, but the Nationals went belly up this Winter and Townley was out of a job. It took a big pile of money and a very long bidding war to get him, but here he is! He'll be the highest paid player in the Liberty League this year with a contract that calls for Mr. Perkins (64-4.3) to pay him $23,160. He'll be worth every penny. He reminds me a whole lot of Lee Sprague (26-3.5). They both are young right-handers who throw very hard with pinpoint control and both are a pain in the doofus to be around. I expect him to be the ace of the staff before the season is over and maybe the Hurler Trophy winner.

Ed Bush (25-5.3)
He showed flashes of brilliance last year with 4 shutouts, but was only 12-11 overall because his control was less than stellar. The combination of him improving and the League going back to 7 balls for a walk has seen him cut his bases on balls in half this Spring and he led the team with a 7-1 record and had a 1.68 ERA. He wins the third spot on the staff over Hank Anderson (32-7.7) who suddenly looked very old this Spring. He was 2-4 with a 4.24 ERA and walked more batters than Bush did. He'll be in Syracuse as insurance and hopefully can get back on track.

Catcher
Evan Eckberg (30-3.5)
His passed balls continue to annoy, but he won the Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger award last year and there is not really anyone else to threaten his job. The awards came his way, however, not because he had a great year, but because all the other catchers in the League were worse than him. I drafted two catchers this winter and hopefully one of them will show something in Syracuse this year. I signed Jimmy Babcock (29-6.9) to be the number two catcher this year. He was cut by Milwaukee of the GNA. He's a good defender, but not much of a hitter, though a whole lot better than Joe Kotlyar (30-6.2), who was the second catcher last year.

First Base
Ephram Peterson (27-5.3)
He is not who I planned to play at first this year, but he hit himself into the job. He'll be 28 on May 11, but will be making his major league debut on Opening Day. That tells you that no one has ever thought of him as much of a prospect yet in his career and I did not either before. I only signed him to give some depth to the Syracuse Stars. Spider Thomas (29-4.6), who did such a great job for us down the stretch last year, did not hit a lick this Spring and will start out at Syracuse.

Second Base
Tom Duncan (21-6.6)
Also not the first choice to start Opening Day for us, but Jocko Cole (24-6.1), who had such a great rookie season last year, pulled a hamstring and will miss the first 3 weeks of the season. Duncan, who is our center fielder of the future, hit pretty well this Spring and played great defense at second and will get 3 weeks of play and then we will evaluate whether to keep him in Detroit or send him to Syracuse for some seasoning. His numbers in B Ball last year were not all that great and I did not think he would be ready to play in the majors this season. He especially did not show very good strike zone judgement last year, but in the Spring games, he walked as often as he struck out.

Shortstop
Russell Gardner (32-6.4)
He won the job towards the end of last season and earned the right to first dibs this year, but he took no chances and outplayed everyone on the team this Spring. He was originally signed for his glove and was not expected to hit much. But this Spring, his range was not quite what he was showing last year, however he hit unbelievably well, better than anyone else on the team. He hit .443 with a .705 slugging average! He led the team in hits, extra-base hits, runs scored and RBIs. Sam Swanger (33-4.8), who started a lot last year, will be around as a backup and still is the best fielding infielder on the team and hit better than we expected last year.

Third Base
Sam Cowan (30-5.1)
Our other big signing over the Winter brings the 2nd leading hitter of all-time to Detroit and I expect him to be the all-time Hit King by season's end. He is 8 hits behind John Rodgers (34-4.4) of Rochester (917 to 909), but Rodgers only hit .239 last year and is looking old, while Cowan hit .309, 2nd in the whole League. He'll be the 3rd highest paid player in the League with his $20,860 contract. I was hoping to put him at first base and have Sam Boullion (26-4.8) at third, but Boullion hit under .200 this Spring and will begin the year in Syracuse. I have not given up on him yet, but he needs to get it going soon or I wasted my first draft pick last year. I signed IF Fred Parrish (27-5.7) from the Washington roster as a backup. He can play anywhere in the infield and has some speed and will take a walk.

Editor's Note: Cowan was the first draft pick I ever made back when I was the boss of the Troy Haymakers, so it is nice to get him for Detroit and will help close the gap between our offense and the Red Caps.

Left Field
Ben Smith (26-6.7)
Won the batting title and was MVP of the League last year. I thought he would be good for us, but I did not think he'd be THAT good. Only complaint was that he missed a few weeks with a twisted ankle. Can't wait to see if he can keep it up or if he comes back down to earth this year.

Center Field
Ben Spencer (25-4.2)
Hit .344 at Syracuse and then came to Detroit and played 5 good games for us before his season ended with a torn up ankle. He hit well this Spring, so he is getting the first shot at the job. Fred Bianco (27-6.9) who started most of the games for us last year will be around as backup. He did not hit much last year, but played great defense. He really hit well this Spring (.397), so if Spencer does not get off to a good start, he could be back in the lineup.

Right Field
Joe Kraus (29-7.9)
He had his worst season as a major leaguer last year, but still led the League in steals for the 3rd year in a row and was 3rd in runs scored and won a Gold Glove, so it is hard to complain too much. But if he can get back to hitting .290, our offense would be unstoppable. But this Spring he did not hit even a little bit, clocking in at .125 and striking out a bunch. But Ben Smith had a horrible Spring last year and ended up as the MVP, so maybe Kraus can turn it on once the season starts. Jackie Porter (31-6.3) will again be a backup for us. Power and a super arm are his two biggest assets.


Do you remember that I expressed a desire to reconfigure our park last year and specifically wanted to make it harder to hit home runs in Recreation Park? Our pitchers, other than Townley, all tend to give up a lot of fly balls and with the fences so short, a lot of those fly balls ended up as home runs. Our pitchers allowed more home runs than anyone else last year. Well, Mr. Perkins remodeled our park, all right, but he made it into even more of a hitter's paradise than before. It might be the toughest place in the whole league on pitchers this year! That will not help our chances any, but Mr. Perkins thinks more fans will come out if we score more runs.

If you want to know the truth, I think he is more concerned with turning a profit than winning championships. However, I think I can win another one this year in spite of his meddling, if the pitchers stay healthy.

See you at Opening Day!

Bartholomew Levy
April 28, 1886

[Questdog]

Thursday, April 29, 1886 (Opening Day for the Liberty League)

Cincinnati Reds (60-52 .536 11.5 GB in 3rd place in the Liberty League last season) at
Detroit Wolverines (72-41 .637 Champions of the Liberty League last year)

John Stevens, Cin (29-8.2) (R 31-21 1.83 7.5-1.2-4.9 H-BB-K/9 last year) vs. William McLeod, Det. (26-5.6) (R 38-14 1.84 6.7-2.7-4.4 last year)

Lost - 6 to 5

Let's start a tally of how many games this park costs us this year. This one will be the first one counted. The Reds hit 2 of McLeod's offerings out of the park and we hit none of Steven's.

McLeod allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 8.

Stevens gave us 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.

We made 2 errors and Cincinnati made 4.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) hit a double, stole a base and scored 2 runs. 3B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. 1B Ephram Peterson (27-5.3), in his major league debut, had 2 hits and a walk, stole 2 bases and had an RBI. 2B Tom Duncan (21-6.6), in his major league debut, went 0 for 4 and struck out once, but handle chances in the field without an error. SS Russell Gardner (32-6.4) hit a double and scored a run.

For the Reds, manager/LF Silver Borresen (32-6.9) had 3 hits with a double and a home run, stole a base and scored twice. 2B Jumbo Lynn (26-3.8) had 3 hits and scored 2 runs. 1B Joe Vaughan (31-5.2) had 2 hits with a 2-run home run in the 8th that broke a 4-4 tie.

Liberty League:
Cleveland (2) at Philadelphia (10): Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (1-0) over Ed Pedersen (24-5.1) (0-1) in his major league debut. Barrow allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he hit a double, scored a run and had an RBI. Pedersen allowed 12 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a triple and had an RBI. 1B Jack Warren (33-7.2), who Detroit let go this winter, had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. 2B Tuck Pierce (29-5.5) had 2 hits with a double, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs.

New York (1) at Rochester (0): Miah Turner (25-5.3) (1-0) over Bill Henson (29-6.5) (0-1). Turner allowed 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. Henson allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. SS Dave Hay (24-5.7), in his major league debut, had 2 hits with a triple and an RBI

Boston (5) at Indianapolis (6) in 12 innings: Bill Crawford (27-7.2) (1-0) over Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (0-1). Go Hoosiers! In 12 innings, Crawford allowed 11 hits, 6 walks and struck out 7. Morlock allowed 7 hits, 6 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit. The Hoosiers scored 3 times in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game when with 2 outs, Morlock walked the bases loaded and then 2B Bob Moran (34-4.5) knocked in 2 with a single and SS Bill Chilcote (28-7.7) singled to knock in another run. In the bottom of the 12th, Moran led off with a single and later scored on a passed ball to win the game. For Boston, SS John Ingling (26-4.6) had 3 hits and a walk and 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Brooklyn (11) at Baltimore (6): John Ritch (31-7.8) (3-1) over Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (2-3). Ritch allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1. At bat, he hit a double, score a run and had an RBI. 3B Kid Angell (36-6.0) had 3 hits with 2 triples, was beaned, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs. Brooklyn was losing 5 to 3 until the 8th, when they scored 5 times. The big blow was a 3-run double by 2B Joe Henry (33-9.2), who ended up with 4 RBIs on the day. For the Orioles, RF Harry Cole (27-6.4) had 2 hits with his 2nd home run of the year and 3 RBIs.

Milwaukee (5) at Omaha (15): Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (3-2) over Dan Burton (30-4.9) (2-3). Rice allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he walked and scored 2 runs. RF Bill Hammack (33-5.0) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. CF Abe Cupp (25-4.7) had, what I think, is the best day at the plate that anyone ever has enjoyed. He hit 3 triples to tie the all-time record and added a home run for good measure. He scored 4 times and had 6 RBIs.

Pittsburgh (8) at Kansas City (1): Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (4-2) over Lew Burnett (25-4.5) (1-1). Lilly allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and a walk. C Wilson Wendling (25-4.1) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. Kansas City made 9 errors.

[Questdog]

Friday, April 30, 1886

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

Charlie Branham, Cin. (26-4.2) (R 0-1 1.42 5.7-1.4-4.3 H-BB-K/9 last year) vs. Lou Townley, Det. (24-3.4) (R 32-30 2.06 8.0-1.3-5.2 last year)

Won - 9 to 8

We did not lose, but the park gave our opponents another home run and did not give us any.

Townley allowed 10 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit, 3 walks and scored a run.

We had 11 hits and made 6 errors. Cincinnati made 7.

LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) hit a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 2B Tom Duncan (21-6.6) had 2 hits, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. SS Russell Gardner (32-6.4) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) hit a double and had an RBI.

For the Reds, 1B Joe Vaughan (31-5.2) professed his love for our new park configuration by getting two more hits and hitting his 2nd home run in as many days. He had 3 RBIs.

Liberty League:
Cleveland (0) at Philadelphia (5): Ted Ryther (32-4.3) (1-0) over Harry Lamb (31-6.4) (0-1). Ryther allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. Lamb allowed 10 hits, 2 walks and struck out no one. SS Smith Yocum (28-5.5) had 2 hits with a double and a walk, stole 2 bases, scored a run and had an RBI. The expansion Keystones now stand all alone atop the Liberty League standings.

New York (1) at Rochester (2): Ed Hodges (25-3.2) (1-0) over Jack Roberts (34-6.1) (0-1). Hodges allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. Roberts allowed 6 hits (3 in the 9th inning), 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit. Rochester scored both of their runs in the bottom of the 9th to win the game. 3B Bill Rush (37-3.7) ended the game with a 1-out single, his 2nd hit of the day. 2B Bid Phillis (24-5.9) sprained his ankle and will likely miss 6 weeks of action.

Boston (9) at Indianapolis (3): Joe Peters (30-4.9) (1-0) over Dad Marshall (27-4.4) (0-1) in his major league debut. Go Hoosiers! Peters allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 12. At bat, he hit a double and had 2 RBIs. Marshall allowed 15 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. Tough assignment, making your debut against the Red Caps. C Hub West (32-6.7) had 2 hits with a double and a walk and scored 3 runs. SS John Ingling (26-4.6) hit a 2-out 3-run home run in the top of the 8th to bust open the game. At the time, the Red Caps were only leading 5 to 3.

Grand National Association:
Chicago (5) at Providence (6) Game 1: Ed Wison (25-7.3) (5-1) over William Rose (35-4.9) (1-2). On his birthday, Wison allowed 5 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. Rose allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had a hit and a walk and scored a run. 1B Tricky Hickman (26-6.0) had 3 hits and 2 RBIs.

Kansas City (7) at Chicago (8) Game 2: Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (2-3) over Dan Butler (28-4.7) (1-4). Stanley allowed 12 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had 2 hits, a walk and scored a run. Butler was not so good in the box, allowing 14 hits, 6 walks and striking out no one, but at the plate he had 3 hits and 2 RBIs. The Cowboys were leading 7 to 2, but the Colts scored twice in each of the final 3 innings to win. A 2-out 2-run single by SS Bob Robertson (23-4.1) ended the game making the hometown fans happy. He had 2 hits, a walk and scored a run. For the Cowboys, LF Lou Baggett (24-4.2) hit 2 triples and a home run, scored 3 times and had 2 RBIs. Editor's Note: This was one of those funky double-headers they loved so much back then. I am not sure what the original teams were in the match-up, because it appears to have been rained out. Probably involved Brooklyn and New York.


Down in the International League, the Syracuse Stars opened their season with a 7 to 6 win over the visiting Toronto Canucks in 10 innings. Hank Anderson (32-7.7) went 9 innings, allowed 12 hits, walked 6 (!!) and struck out 4. 3B Sam Boullion (26-4.8) had 2 hits and knocked in the winning run with 2 outs.

The Utica Pent Ups hosted the Hamilton Clippers and finally prevailed, 6 to 4, in 19 innings. C Sam Burns (28-5.6) hit a 2-run home run to win the game. It was his only hit in 9 trips to the plate. Both pitchers went the distance. William Little (25-6.0) of Utica allowed 12 hits in 19 innings, walked 4 and struck out 9. Jiggs Niedermeyer (22-5.8) of Hamilton allowed 12 hits, 4 walks and struck out 10.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 1, 1886

Cincinnati Reds (1-1 .500 1 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (1-1 .500 1 GB tied for 2nd place)

John Stevens, Cin. (29-8.2) (R 1-0 2.00 8.0-1.0-3.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. William McLeod, Det. (26-5.6) (R 0-1 6.00 11.0-1.0-8.0)

Lost - 7 to 1

In 8 innings, McLeod allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 10. At bat, he had a hit.

Stevens gave us 5 hits, no walks and struck out 7.

We made 3 errors and Cincinnati made 2.

2B Tom Duncan (21-6.6) hit a triple.

For the Reds, rookie CF Fred Kerr (24-5.2) hit an inside-the-park home run.

Liberty League:
Cleveland (6) at Philadelphia (3): Ed Pedersen (24-5.1) (1-1) over Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (1-1). Pedersen, in his first major league win, allowed 7 hits (4 in the 1st inning when the Keystones scored all of their runs), 1 walk and struck out 1. At bat, he walked twice and hit his 2nd triple of the season and had an RBI. Barrow allowed 11 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. RF John Bradbury (25-7.6) had 3 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

New York (3) at Rochester (6): Bill Henson (29-6.5) (1-1) over Miah Turner (25-5.3) (1-1). Henson allowed 4 hits, 5 walks and struck out 6. Turner allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 6. 2B Sanford Kimbler (29-6.9) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI.

Boston (6) at Indianapolis (7): Bill Crawford (27-7.2) (2-0) over Joe Peters (30-4.9) (1-1) in relief of Charlie Morlock (36-6.7). Go Hoosiers!! They win the series, taking 2 of 3 from Boston! Crawford allowed 10 hits, 3 walks and struck out 8. Morlock had to leave the game in the first inning with a stiff back, but should be okay in a day or two. In 7.1 innings, Peters allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. 1B Otis York (30-6.3) hit a double and a triple, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Providence (0) at Pittsburgh (6): Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (5-1) over Tom Blomberg (28-4.7) (2-3). Mathews allowed 1 hit (in the 3rd inning), 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Blomberg allowed 9 hits, 5 walks and struck out 3. SS Jim Ware (32-5.6) hit a double and a triple, scored a run and had an RBI.

Brooklyn (5) at Baltimore (4): Al Green (23-3.8) (3-3) over Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (2-3). Green allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had 2 hits. Yurkovich allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double. RF Tom Campbell (27-3.6) hit 2 doubles, drew a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Milwaukee (2) at Omaha (3): Tom Lee (28-6.0) (1-4) over Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (5-1). Lee finally wins his first game and hands Buchanan his first loss. Lee allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. Buchanan allowed 4 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. Omaha scored all of its runs in the 1st inning; Milwaukee scored its in the 3rd.

Kansas City (6) at Chicago (5): Al McClaughry (22-5.6) (2-5) over Pete Rinehart (27-6.2) (3-3). McClaughry allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. Rinehart allowed 10 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5. The Cowboys scored 3 times in the top of the 9th to take the lead. 2B Tommy Dyer (28-3.8) had 3 hits with a triple, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. CF Abe Purcell (31-2.8) had 2 hits with a 2-run triple in the 9th and scored a run.

[Questdog]

Monday, May 3, 1886

Cleveland Spiders (1-2 .333 1 GB tied for 5th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (1-2 .333 1 GB tied for 5th place)

Ed Pedersen, Clev. (24-5.1) (R 1-1 4.24 10.1-1.6-2.1 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lou Townley, Det. (24-3.4) (R 1-0 4.00 10.0-3.0-4.0)

Lost - 9 to 8 in 10 innings

In 10 innings, Townley allowed 13 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had a walk and scored a run.

We had 10 hits made 6 errors. Cleveland made 3.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) hit 2 triples, drew a walk, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) had 3 hits with an inside-the-park home run and 3 RBIs. SS Russell Gardner (32-6.4) had 2 hits and scored a run. C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI, but allowed 7 stolen bases without catching anyone and made 3 errors.

For the Spiders, rookie 2B Cowboy Gray (23-7.8) had 2 hits and a walk, stole a base and scored 3 runs.

Liberty League:
Cincinnati (3) at Philadelphia (2): Charlie Branham, Cin. (26-4.2) (1-1) over Ted Ryther (32-4.3) (1-1). Branham allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Ryther allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 6. C Spider Sullivan (25-6.7) had 2 hits with a double and a walk and had an RBI. The Reds won despite making 7 errors to the Keystones' 1.

Boston (6) at Rochester (0): Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (1-1) over Ed Hodges (25-3.2) (1-1). Morlock allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. Hodges allowed 11 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. 2B Mike Stables (30-7.1) had 3 hits with a double and his 2nd home run of the season and had 2 RBIs. C Hub West (32-6.7) hit a double and a triple, drew a walk and scored 2 runs.

Indianapolis (3) at New York (4): Jack Roberts (34-6.1) (1-1) over Dad Marshall (27-4.4) (0-2). Roberts allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. Marshall allowed 10 hits, 4 walks and struck out 6. At bat, he hit a double and had 2 RBIs. New York scored on a 2-out error in the bottom of the 9th to win the game. CF Lorenzo Chappell (26-5.2) had 3 hits and an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Providence (4) at Pittsburgh (5): Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (5-2) over Ed Wison (25-7.3) (5-2). Lilly allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 5. Wison allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. 1B Tom Coponen (30-7.0) had 2 hits and a walk, stole a base and scored a run.

Omaha (3) at Brooklyn (4) in 11 innings: John Ritch (31-7.8) (3-1) in relief of Ren French (24-4.9) over Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (3-3). In 9 innings, French allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. In 10.1 innings, Rice allowed 6 hits, 7 walks and struck out 9. Brooklyn tied the game on a 2-run single by C Jim Granier in the 9th and won it in the bottom of the 11th on 2 errors and a long fly ball.

Baltimore (5) at Milwaukee (9): Dan Burton (30-4.9) (3-3) over Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (2-4). Burton allowed 5 hits, 5 walks and struck out 1. 2B Lou Bohus (26-5.4) had 2 hits and a walk and scored twice.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 4, 1886

Cleveland Spiders (2-2 .500 1 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (1-3 .250 2 GB 8th place)

Harry Lamb, Clev. (31-6.4) (R 0-1 1.13 11.3-2.3-0.0 H-BB-K/9) vs. William McLeod, Det. (26-5.6) (R 0-2 4.76 9.0-2.6-9.5)

Lost - 2 to 1

We finally get a well-pitched game and still cannot win.

McLeod allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and struck out 6.

Lamb gave us 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out no one. He used to be a strikeout machine. In 1884 he averaged 7.0 Ks per 9 innings. Last season his rate dropped by more than half to 3.4. This season, he has not struck out anyone in 2 starts.

We made 2 errors and Cleveland made 4.

3B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) had 2 hits.

For the Spiders, rookie 2B Cowboy Gray (23-7.8) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run.

Liberty League:
Cincinnati (7) at Philadelphia (2): John Stevens (29-8.2) (3-0) over Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (1-2). Stevens allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. Barrow allowed 11 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. RF Joe Turner (26-6.6) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI. C Cy Morton (26-4.6) had 3 hits and 2 RBIs in his first game of the year.

Boston (5) at Rochester (4): Joe Peters (30-4.9) (2-1) over Bill Henson (29-6.5) (1-2). Peters allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit. Henson allowed 14 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. LF Charlie Warner (32-9.2) had 4 hits and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. 3B Bill Gordon (29-3.7) had 4 hits with a double and an RBI. In 5 games, he has 11 hits and 7 walks.

Indianapolis (0) at New York (1): Miah Turner (25-5.3) (2-1) over Bill Crawford (27-7.2) (2-1). Turner allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had a hit and a walk. He tossed his 2nd shutout of the season. Crawford allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. 2B Bill Baker (24-3.6) had 2 hits and an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Providence (11) at Pittsburgh (5): Tom Blomberg (28-4.7) (3-3) over Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (5-2). Blomberg allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. 2B Bill Loschiavo (28-5.8) had 4 hits, stole 2 bases, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Omaha (2) at Brooklyn (3): Al Green (23-3.8) (4-3) over Tom Lee (28-6.0) (1-5). Green allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. Lee allowed 3 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit. LF Monte Moody (28-6.9) had a hit and a walk, stole 2 bases and scored 2 runs.

Baltimore (4) at Milwaukee (5) in 10 innings: Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (6-1) over Sammy O'Quinn (24-5.9) (0-3) in relief of Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4). In 10 innings, Buchanan allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7. Wilmarth had to leave in the 1st inning when he felt a twinge in his shoulder, but it turned out to be a false alarm. In 0 innings of relief, O'Quinn allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. Rookie SS Tom Kelly (22-5.3) hit a 2-out single to win the game.

Kansas City (10) at Chicago (16): Pete Rinehart (27-6.2) (4-3) over Al McClaughry (22-5.6) (2-6). Rinehart allowed 8 hits, 6 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had a hit and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. 2B Bob Robertson (23-4.1) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored 4 runs. RF Tom Megrath (25-5.6) hit his 3rd home run of the season; this one with the bases loaded. He also walked and scored 2 runs.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 5, 1886

Cleveland Spiders (3-2 .600 1 GB tied for 2nd place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (1-4 .250 3 GB 8th place)

Ed Pedersen, Clev. (24-5.1) (R 2-1 5.19 10.0-2.1-2.4 H-BB-K/9) vs. Ed Bush, Det. (25-5.3) (R 0-0 0.00 0.0-0.0-9.0)

Won - 3 to 0

Bush allowed 2 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5.

Pedersen gave us 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1.

We made 2 errors and Cleveland made 6.

3B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) had 3 hits and scored a run. He is now tied with Rochester's John Rodgers (34-4.4) for the all-time lead in hits with 919. 1B Ephram Peterson (27-5.3) hit a double. 2B Tom Duncan (21-6.6) had 2 hits and a walk, stole 2 bases, scored a run and had an RBI. SS Russell Gardner (32-6.4) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI.

Liberty League:
Cincinnati (5) at Philadelphia (0): Charlie Branham (26-4.2) (2-1) over Gene Rankins (29-5.4) (0-1) in his major league debut. Branham allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Rankins allowed 8 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and a walk. SS Ed Sawyer (25-4.7), cut from the Detroit system over the Winter, had 3 hits and scored 2 runs.

Boston (4) at Rochester (2) in 10 innings: Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (2-1) over Mert Gross (28-5.8) (0-1) in his major league debut. In 10 innings, Morlock allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he hit a double. Gross allowed 12 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. Manager/1B Pete Bucolo (38-4.1) hit 2 doubles and a triple, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. He knocked in the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th and scored the insurance run.

Indianapolis (8) at New York (4): Bill Crawford (27-7.2) (3-1) over Jack Roberts (34-6.1) (1-2). Crawford allowed 4 hits, 6 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he walked and scored a run. Roberts allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a double and had an RBI. 3B Bill Lawson (29-6.9) had 4 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Providence (5) at Pittsburgh (4): Ed Wison (25-7.3) (6-2) over Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (5-3). Wison allowed 5 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit. Lilly allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit. LF Charlie Gregor (27-5.2) hit a 2-run home run.

Baltimore (6) at Brooklyn (8): Ren French (24-4.9) (2-1) over Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (2-5). French allowed 12 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he hit a triple and drew a walk, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. Yurkovich allowed 4 hits, 4 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Baltimore made 9 errors.

Omaha (2) at Milwaukee (4): Dan Burton (30-4.9) (4-3) over Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (3-4). Burton allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. Rice allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. 1B Willie Burton (31-8.5) had 2 hits with his 2nd home run of the season.

Kansas City (4) at Chicago (2): Dan Butler (28-4.7) (2-4) over Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (2-4). Butler allowed 3 hits, 6 walks and struck out 6. Stanley allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit and a walk. The Colts made 8 errors.

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 6, 1886

We play our first road game today when we start a 3 game series against manager Harry Lashley (44-5.5) and his expansion Keystones. They won their first 2 games as a franchise, but have since dropped 4 in a row. So far, in the young season, they are 5th in runs scores with 3.7 per game (Detroit is tied for 3rd with 4.5). They are also 5th in runs allowed with 3.8 per game (Detroit is dead last with 5.3). They call the place they play Recreation Park, the same as us, but that is where the similarities end. Their Recreation Park is probably the fairest place to play for both hitters and pitchers in the Liberty League, with the pitchers getting only a very slight edge.

Detroit Wolverines (2-4 .333 3 GB tied for 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Philadelphia Keystones (2-4 .333 3 GB 6th place)

Lou Townley, Det. (24-3.4) (R 1-1 5.21 10.9-2.4-5.7 H-BB-K/9) vs. Ted Ryther, Phil. (32-4.3) (L 1-1 1.50 5.0-2.5-5.5)

Won - 4 to 3

We were down, 3 to 2, going into the 9th inning. With 1-out, C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) hit a fly ball to center that was dropped and he ended up at 2nd base. I sent in Fred Bianco (27-6.9) to run for Eckberg and then looked for a pinch-hitter to bat for Townley and realized I wanted it to be Bianco because Ryther is a left-hander and Jackie Porter (31-6.3), my usual pinch-hitter bats left-handed. Oh, well, I am an idiot; what's new? So I sent Fred Parrish up there (27-5.7) and he came through with an RBI single! I am a genius! He went to 2nd on the throw to the plate and then tried to steal 3rd and their catcher threw the ball into left field and Parrish scored the go-ahead run. Ed Bush (25-5.3) came in and pitched the bottom of the 9th to nail down the victory.

In 8 innings, Townley allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6.

Ryther gave us 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6.

We made 1 error and Philadelphia made 8.

3B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) had 3 hits. He is now the all-time Hit King, for the time being, with 922 base hits.

Liberty League:
Boston (6) at New York (7) in 13 innings: Al Stone (26-3.1) (1-0) in relief of Jack Roberts (34-6.1) over Dan Gilbert (26-6.6) (0-1) in his major league debut in relief of Joe Peters (30-4.9). In 2 scoreless innings, Stone allowed 2 hits, no walks and struck out 1. In 11 innings, Roberts allowed 10 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had a triple and a walk and scored a run. In 10 innings, Peters allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. In the bottom of the 13th, CF Lorenzo Chappell (26-5.2) led off with a single and then 3B Ed Glass (26-4.5) tripled to win the game. New York won, despite making 8 errors.

Rochester (6) at Indianapolis (9): Dad Marshall (27-4.4) (1-2) over Ed Hodges (25-3.2) (1-2). Marshall allowed 12 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had 3 hits with a double and scored 3 runs. Hodges allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. Rochester made 6 errors. Rookie CF Ed Slonim (23-8.5) had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Cleveland (9) at Cincinnati (5): Harry Lamb (31-6.4) (2-1) over Charlie Branham (26-4.2) (2-2). Lamb allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and 3 RBIs. Branham had to leave in the 5th inning with back issues and has been diagnosed with a herniated disc and will likely miss 2-3 months. 2 years ago, he was 35-13 but has only made 5 starts since. The Reds made 7 errors. RF Joe Coffey (29-5.2) had 3 hits with a double and scored a run.

Grand National Association:
Baltimore (4) at Brooklyn (9): John Ritch (31-7.8) (4-1) over Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (2-4). Ritch allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. CF Piggy Galon (25-4.8) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. C Jim Granier (30-5.7) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Omaha (1) at Milwaukee (8): Dan Burton (30-4.9) (5-3) over Bill Hamilton (28-5.4) (2-1). Burton allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. C Jarvis Patten (29-7.3) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. LF Harry Mihlbauer (27-5.7) hit a double and 2 triples, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Friday, May 7, 1886

Detroit Wolverines (3-4 .429 2 GB in 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Philadelphia Keystones (2-5 .286 3 GB in 7th place)

William McLeod, Det. (26-5.6) (R 0-3 3.46 7.3-3.1-8.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. Fred Barrow, Phil. (34-4.7) (R 1-2 3.00 9.7-3.0-4.3)

Won - 7 to 5

McLeod allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit.

We had 11 hits and made 2 errors. The Keystones made 7.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run. LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) hit 2 doubles, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. 1B Ephram Peterson (27-5.3) had a hit, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 2B Tom Duncan (21-6.6) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base and had 2 RBIs. C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) had 2 hits with a home run and scored twice.

Liberty League:
Boston (8) at New York (5): Joe Peters (30-4.9) (3-1) over Miah Turner (25-5.3) (2-2). Peters allowed 8 hits, 6 walks and struck out 7. Turner allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. At bat, he drew a walk and scored a run. RF George Kunz (33-5.7) had 2 hits with a home run and 3 RBIs.

Rochester (4) at Indianapolis (3): Bill Henson (29-6.5) (2-2) over Bill Crawford (27-7.2) (3-2). In 8 innings, Henson allowed 9 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit. Crawford allowed 8 hits, 6 walks and struck out 7. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and an RBI. The Jingoes scored 3 times in the top of the 9th to take the lead. RF John Rodgers (34-4.4) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Cleveland (3) at Cincinnati (6): John Stevens (29-8.2) (4-0) over Ed Pedersen (24-5.1) (2-3). Stevens allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and scored 2 runs. 3B Adam Trombley (32-6.8) had 3 hits and an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Milwaukee (3) at Brooklyn (4): Al Green (23-3.8) (5-3) over Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (6-2). Green allowed 5 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. Buchanan allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. Brooklyn scored 3 times in the 1st and Milwaukee scored 3 times in the 2nd and then no one else scored again until Brooklyn plated a run in the bottom of the 9th win the game. The game-winner was a 2-out single by LF Monte Moody (28-6.9). He had 2 hits with a triple and scored a run.

Chicago (9) at Pittsburgh (6): Pete Rinehart (27-6.2) (5-3) over Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (5-3). Rinehart allowed 11 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. LF Tommy Casale (26-3.7) hit a double and a triple and scored 3 runs. RF Sam McKenna (34-6.0) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Omaha (1) at Baltimore (0): Tom Lee (28-6.0) (2-5) over Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (2-5). Lee allowed 5 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he walked twice. Wilmarth allowed 3 hits, 6 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and a walk. For the Orioles, 1B Lou Knight (37-5.2) had 3 of the O's 5 hits and drew a walk.

Providence (12) at Kansas City (6): Tom Blomberg (28-4.7) (4-3) over Al McClaughry (22-5.6) (2-7). Blomberg allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had 2 hits with a triple, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. SS Bill Loschiavo (28-5.8) had 3 hits with a double and 3 RBIs. Manager/2B Pat Millis (25-7.2) had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 8, 1886

For the 3rd straight season, owner Aaron Collier (59-7.9) of the Baltimore Orioles has fired a manager in the middle of a season. He let Henry Ashby (42-6.5) go after yesterday's 1 to 0 loss to Omaha, the 7th defeat in succession for Baltimore. Today he announced the hiring of Calvin Biron (38-9.0). Biron, who led the Liberty League in runs scored as an All-Star second baseman back in the first season (1876), managed the Detroit Wolverines to a 55-57 (.491) record and a 4th place finish in 1884. He was let go after that season and I took his place, so I am glad to see him get another job, even if it is with the lowly Orioles.

Detroit Wolverines (4-4 .500 2 GB tied for 3rd place in the Liberty League) at
Philadelphia Keystones (2-6 .250 4 GB in 8th place)

Ed Bush, Det. (25-5.3) (R 1-0 0.00 2.5-2.5-4.9 H-BB-K/9) vs. Gene Rankins, Phil. (29-5.4) (R 0-1 4.00 8.0-5.0-5.0)

Won - 5 to 2

Bush allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run.

Rankins gave us 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3.

We made 1 error and Philadelphia made 7.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) hit a double and had an RBI. 3B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) hit a double and had an RBI. He has at least 1 hit in every game so far and going back to last season, he has hit in 11 straight. 1B Ephram Peterson (27-5.3) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. C Jimmy Babcock (29-6.9) had 3 hits and scored 2 runs.

Liberty League:
Rochester (10) at Indianapolis (17): Joe Osborne (28-3.0) (1-0) over Mert Gross (28-5.8) (0-2). 35 hits and 15 errors by the two teams. 3B Bill Lawson (29-6.9) had 4 hits and a walk, scored 3 times and had 3 RBIs. 1B Otis York (30-6.3) had 4 hits with a double, scored 3 runs and had 4 RBIs.

Cleveland (4) at Cincinnati (1): Bill Henrichs (26-7.4) (1-0) over Bert Fischer (25-5.6) (0-1). Henrichs allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. Fischer allowed 2 hits, 4 walks and struck out 9. The Reds made 6 errors.

Grand National Association:
Milwaukee (1) at Brooklyn (5): Ren French (24-4.9) (3-1) over Wiley Steel (24-5.6) (0-2). French allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits. Steel allowed 10 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. The Gladiators have won 8 in a row and have taken over first place in the Grand National Association.

Chicago (1) at Pittsburgh (2): Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (6-3) over Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (2-5). Lilly allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. Stanley allowed 2 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7. PIttsburgh scored both of their runs in the 1st inning and did not get a hit the rest of the way.

Omaha (3) at Baltimore (4): Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (3-5) over Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (3-5). Yurkovich allowed 4 hits, 5 walks and struck out 8. Rice allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit. CF Nat Lusk (26-6.4) singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 9th.

Providence (10) at Kansas City (8): Ed Wison (25-7.3) (7-2) over Dan Butler (28-4.7) (2-5). CF Bill Parsons (28-8.3) had 3 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. For the Cowboys, SS Jim McCarthy (24-7.5) had 3 hits with a triple and 2 walks, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Sunday, May 9, 1886

Grand National Association:
Providence (4) at Kansas City (5) in 10 innings: Lew Burnett (25-4.5) (2-1) over Sam Paul (31-5.4) (0-3). In 10 innings, Burnett allowed 3 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and 2 RBIs. His 2-out single ended the game. Kansas City made 7 errors and Providence made 8. Paul allowed 8 hits, 4 walks and struck out 1. SS Jim McCarthy (24-7.5) had 2 hits and a walk and scored 2 runs, including the game-winner.

[Questdog]

Monday, May 10, 1886

Liberty League:
Indianapolis (9) at Cleveland (1): Bill Crawford (27-7.2) (4-2) over Ed Pedersen (24-5.1) (2-4). In 8 innings, Crawford allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. He had to leave the game in the 9th inning with a shoulder injury and they are saying he will miss 3-4 months. So, the surprising Hoosiers (6-4) will become much less surprising now. C Fred Smith (30-6.8) had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and had an RBI and threw out 2 of 3 stolen base attempts. Manager/LF Ed Wakefield (26-5.8) had 4 hits, stole a base and scored 3 runs. RF Martin Arnold (31-6.2) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had 4 RBIs.

Boston (6) at Cincinnati (1): Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (3-1) over John Stevens (29-8.2) (4-1). Morlock allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. At bat, he drew a walk and scored 2 runs. Stevens allowed 11 hits, 5 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a double and a walk and scored a run. 3B Bill Gordon (29-3.7) had 3 hits with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. IN 9 games, he is batting .514 to lead the League. He has drawn 9 walks and has an OBP of .609. For the Reds, C Spider Sullivan (25-6.7) pulled a rib cage muscle in a collision at the plate and will miss at least 3 weeks.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (3) at Brooklyn (4): Al Green (23-3.8) (6-3) over Tom Lee (28-6.0) (2-6). Green allowed 11 hits, 3 walks and struck out 8. Lee allowed 11 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit. Rookie SS John Harshbarger (26-4.9) had 3 hits, stole 2 bases and had 2 RBIs.

Chicago (8) at Pittsburgh (7) in 10 innings: Pete Rinehart (27-6.2) (6-3) over Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (5-4). In 9.1 innings, Rinehart allowed 8 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he hit a double. William Rose (35-4.9) came in after Rinehart allowed a 1-out single and got a groundball double-play to end the game. In 10 innings, Mathews allowed 11 hits, 5 walks and struck out 6. At bat, he had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI. He has now lost 3 in a row after a 5-1 start, allowing at least 8 runs in each loss.

Milwaukee (2) at Baltimore (3): Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (3-5) over Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (6-3). Wilmarth allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. Buchanan allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. 1B Lou Knight (37-5.2) had 2 hits with a double and a walk and scored a run.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 11, 1886

We are back home to start a 3 game series against manager/LF Hi Lynch (35-7.5) and his Gothams. They are currently last in scoring runs at 3.3 per game (Detroit is 4th with 4.8). They are 2nd in runs allowed with 4.1 per game (Detroit is up to a tie for 5th with 4.7). They reconfigured the Polo Grounds this season and have turned it from what was probably the best hitters park in the League into the worst one, though the pitchers are calling it the best.

New York Gothams (4-4 .500 1.5 GB in 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (5-4 .556 1 GB tied for 3rd place)

Miah Turner, N.Y. (25-5.3) (R 2-2 2.06 7.5-1.3-6.7 H-BB-K/9) vs. William McLeod, Det. (26-5.6) (R 1-3 3.34 7.5-2.6-7.2)

Won - 6 to 0

!!William McLeod pitched the 4th no-hitter in Liberty League history!!

McLeod allowed no hits, 5 walks and struck out 7, including the final batter of the game. At bat, he walked twice.

Turner gave us 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7.

We made 1 error and New York made 6.

CF Ben Spencer (25-4.2) had 2 hits, stole a base and scored 2 runs. 1B Ephram Peterson (28-5.3), on his birthday, hit a double, scored 2 runs and played his final game as a Wolverine. (Maybe. His fielding has been atrocious and he is not hitting enough to justify his continued employment.) 2B Tom Duncan (21-6.6) had 2 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Liberty League:
Indianapolis (12) at Cleveland (7): Dad Marshall (27-4.4) (2-2) over Harry Lamb (31-6.4) (2-2). Marshall allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. Rookie CF Ed Slonim (23-8.5) had 2 hits with a double and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. SS Bill Chilcote (28-7.7) had 2 hits and a walk and scored 3 runs.

Rochester (4) at Philadelphia (15): Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (2-3) over Bill Henson (29-6.5) (2-3). Rochester out-hit Philadelphia 16 to 12. 1B Jack Warren (33-7.2) had 2 hits and a walk, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had an RBI. 3B Jim Hodzic (35-7.0) had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Boston (3) at Cincinnati (8): Bert Fischer (25-5.6) (1-1) over Freddy Wood (30-6.3) (0-1). Fischer allowed 7 hits, 7 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he hit a double and had an RBI. RF Joe Turner (26-6.6) had 2 hits with a home run, a walk and had 2 RBIs. For Boston, 3B Bill Gordon (29-3.7) continued his unbelievably hot start with 3 hits, including a triple and a home run, a walk and 3 RBIs. He now has 22 hits and 10 walks in 10 games.

Grand National Association:
Chicago (12) at Pittsburgh (8): Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (3-5) over Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (6-4). Stanley allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5. 1B Tommy Casale (26-3.7) had 4 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. C George Sandefur (29-5.8) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Providence (6) at Kansas City (7): Al McClaughry (22-5.6) (3-7) over Ed Wison (25-7.3) (7-3). McClaughry allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. Wison allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Kansas City scored twice in the bottom of the 9th to win, after the first two batters were put out. 1B Erve More (27-4.5) hit 2 doubles, including one that ended the game. 2B Tommy Dyer (28-3.8) had 2 hits with a double and a walk, scored a run and had 4 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 12, 1886

After we were done eating Ephram Peterson's (28-5.3) birthday cake, I put him on a train to Syracuse and sent word to send me 3B Sam Boullion (26-4.8). I know it is only 9 games, but Boullion was hitting over .300 and slugging over .500 in A Ball and having him at 3rd and moving Cowan to 1st will greatly improve our defense and hopefully our offense, too.

New York Gothams (4-5 .444 2 GB in 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (6-4 .600 0.5 GB tied for 3rd place)

Jack Roberts, N.Y. (34-6.1) (R 1-2 2.39 8.4-1.7-4.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lou Townley, Det. (24-3.4) (R 2-1 4.33 9.3-2.0-6.0)

Won - 3 to 2

Townley allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 3. At bat, he walked once. He now has 6 walks as a batter, twice as many as any other hitter on the team.

Roberts gave us 5 hits, 6 walks and struck out 3.

We made 2 errors and New York made 5.

C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI and threw out 3 of 4 on steal attempts.

Liberty League:
Indianapolis (3) at Cleveland (2): Dad Marshall (27-4.4) (3-2) over Harry Lamb (31-6.4) (2-3). Marshall allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. Lamb allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. 2B Bob Moran (34-4.5) had 3 hits with a double and 2 RBIs.

Rochester (10) at Philadelphia (5): Ed Hodges (25-3.2) (2-2) over Ted Ryther (32-4.3) (1-3). Hodges allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit and scored 2 runs. LF Jack Wallace (32-7.5) had 3 hits with 2 triples and a walk, scored 4 runs and had 2 RBIs. C Jim Martin (24-5.0) had 2 hits with a triple, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. LF John Rodgers (34-4.4) had a hit to retake the all-time lead over Sam Cowan (30-5.1), 926 to 925.

Boston (15) at Cincinnati (1): Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (4-1) over Lou Ellard (28-6.3) (0-1). Morlock allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 9. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Manager/1B Pete Bucolo (38-4.1) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. C Frank Douglas (31-5.8) had 2 hits with a home run and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Omaha (4) at Brooklyn (1): Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (4-5) over Ren French (24-4.9) (3-2). Rice allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. French allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. 2B Warren Hogan (31-7.2) had 2 hits with a double and a walk, scored a run and had an RBI.

Milwaukee (9) at Baltimore (6): Dan Burton (30-4.9) (6-3) over Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (3-6). Milwaukee scored 5 times in the top of the 9th to take the lead. Rookie 3B Dave Gray (25-4.9) had 3 hits with a double and a walk, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. His bases-loaded double cleared the bases in the top of the 9th. For the Orioles, 1b Lou Knight (37-5.2) had 3 hits with 2 doubles and a walk, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. Knight now has 24 walks in 20 games. Knight set the GNA record last season with 49. Bill Gordon (29-3.7) of Boston set the major league record last year in the Liberty League with 69.

[Questdog]

Thursday, May 13, 1886

New York Gothams (4-6 .400 3 GB in 6th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (7-4 .636 0.5 GB tied for 2nd place)

Miah Turner, N.Y. (25-5.3) (R 2-3 2.51 7.7-1.7-6.9 H-BB-K/9) vs. William McLeod, Det. (26-5.6) (R 2-3 2.66 5.9-3.1-7.2)

Lost - 10 to 3

What is the opposite of a no-hitter? Whatever it is, that's what McLeod threw today.

In 7 innings, McLeod allowed 10 runs, 12 hits, 5 walks and struck out 7.
Ed Bush (25-5.3) pitched the final 2 innings, allowing only a walk and striking out 3.

Turner gave us 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. At bat, he hit a double and had an RBI.

We made 3 errors and New York made 5.

1B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) hit 2 triples, scored a run and had an RBI. He is tied for hit lead again with 927.

For the Gothams, 1B John Hilliard (26-7.2) hit 2 home runs and had 3 RBIs. CF Lorenzo Chappell (26-5.2) hit a double and 2 triples, drew a walk, scored a runs and had 4 RBIs.

Liberty League:
Boston (9) at Cleveland (6): Freddy Wood (30-6.3) (1-1) over Ed Pedersen (24-5.1) (2-5). Wood allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6. CF Pat Stafford (25-5.4) had 3 hits, stole a base and scored twice. Manager/1B Pete Bucolo (38-4.1) had 3 hits with a double and a walk, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 3B Bill Gordon (29-3.7) had 3 more hits with a double and a walk, but no runs or RBIs. He has been on base at least twice in every game this season. He left the game with a sore knee, but should be fine with a day off. 2B Mike Stables (30-7.1) had 2 hits with a bases-loaded home run and 6 RBIs.

Rochester (1) at Philadelphia (8): Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (3-3) over Bill Henson (29-6.5) (2-4). Barrow allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. LF Effie Hoag (28-5.5) had 3 hits, stole a base, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Indianapolis (1) at Cincinnati (7): John Stevens (29-8.2) (5-1) over Levi Giddens (34-4.8) (0-1). Stevens allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he hit a double, drew a walk and scored 2 runs. Manager/LF Silver Borresen (32-6.9) had 4 hits with a triple and his 2nd home run of the year, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (8) at Pittsburgh (9) in 12 innings: Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (6-4) over Lew Burnett (25-4.5) (2-2) in relief of Al McClaughry (22-5.6). In 12 innings, Mathews allowed 9 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 3 hits with a double and 2 RBIs. The Stogies scored twice in the bottom of the 9th to tied the game and both teams scored in the 10th. Ace Trimmell (28-5.0) hit a 2-out 2-run double to tie it in the 9th. 3B Charlie Hart (26-2.9) hit a 2-out triple to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th and a 2-out single to win it in the bottom of the 12th. 1B Tom Coponen (30-7.0) had 5 hits with a double and scored 4 runs, including both the tying run in the 10th and the winning run in the 12th.

Baltimore (9) at Milwaukee (10): Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (7-3) over Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (3-6). Baltimore scored 6 times in the top of the 9th to come up just short. 2B Lou Bohus (26-5.4) had 3 hits with a home run and a walk, stole a base, scored 3 runs and had 4 RBIs. Rookie 3B Dave Gray (25-4.9) broke a bone in his foot and will miss at least a month. For Baltimore, CF Bill Fogle (27-5.3), who leads the team in batting average and RBIs, strained a hamstring and will miss 2-3 weeks.

Brooklyn (6) at Omaha (4) in 11 innings: John Ritch (31-7.8) (6-1) in relief of Al Green (23-3.8) over Bill Hamilton (28-5.4) (2-2) in relief of Tom Lee (28-6.0). In 9.2 innings, Green allowed 9 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. Ritch pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk. Lee had to leave the game in the 6th with a swollen elbow and is advised to rest it for a week. Both teams scored twice in the 10th. 1B Lew Bell (29-4.2) had 3 hits, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Providence (3) at Chicago (2) Game 1: Tom Blomberg (28-4.7) (5-3) over Pete Rinehart (27-6.2) (6-4). Blomberg allowed 3 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. Rinehart allowed 5 hits, 5 walks and struck out 9.

Providence (6) at Chicago (2) Game 2: Tom Blomberg (28-4.7) (6-3) over Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (3-6). Blomberg allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out no one. At bat, he had a hit and scored a run. Stanley allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. At bat, he walked and scored a run. RF John Froom (37-6.2) had 2 hits with a home run and scored 2 runs.

[Questdog]

Friday, May 14, 1886

We begin a 3 game series with manager Sparrow Smith (44-4.2) and his Jingoes today. They are 6th in runs scored with 4.1 per game (Detroit is 5th with 4.6). They are last in runs allowed with 6.4 per game (Detroit is tied for 3rd with 4.5).

Rochester Jingoes (4-8 .333 4 GB tied for 7th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (7-5 .583 1 GB in 4th place)

Ed Hodges, Roch. (25-3.2) (R 2-2 3.86 9.3-2.6-4.9 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lou Townley, Det. (24-3.4) (R 3-1 3.75 9.3-1.5-5.3)

Won - 3 to 2

Townley allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 8. At bat, he hit a double and scored a run.

Hodges gave us 7 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1.

Each team made 3 errors.

1B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) hit a triple and scored a run. Still tied with 928 hits. LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) had a walk and a stolen base and came up with a clutch 2-run single in the 8th that put us in the lead. C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) had 2 hits and an RBI. 3B Sam Boullion (26-4.8) had 2 hits.

For the Jingoes, 3B Bill Rush (37-3.7) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had an RBI.

Liberty League:
Boston (7) at Cleveland (2): Joe Peters (30-4.9) (4-1) over Bill Henrichs (26-7.4) (1-1). Peters allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. Henrichs allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. The game was tied at 2 going into the 9th inning. SS John Ingling (26-4.6) had 3 hits with a triple and scored a run. RF George Kunz (33-5.7) hit a 3-run home run, his 2nd longball of the season.

New York (9) at Philadelphia (3): Jack Roberts (34-6.1) (2-3) over Ted Ryther (32-4.3) (1-4). Roberts allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 6. In 8 innings, Ryther allowed 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5. C Fred Clapp (27-4.0) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. 3B Ed Glass (26-4.5) hit 2 doubles and a triple, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Indianapolis (2) at Cincinnati (4): Bert Fischer (25-5.6) (2-1) over Joe Osborne (28-3.0) (1-1). Fischer allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 8. At bat, he had a hit. Osborne allowed 11 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had 2 hits and scored a run. Manager/LF Silver Borresen (32-6.9) had 3 hits and a walk and stole base, but no runs or RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (8) at Pittsburgh (10): Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (7-4) over Dan Butler (28-4.7) (2-6). Lilly allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out 10. RF Ace Trimmell (28-5.0) had 3 hits with a double and a walk, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs. CF Billy Galloway (24-5.3) had 3 hits with a double and a triple, a walk, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. For the Cowboys, SS Jim McCarthy (24-7.5) hit 2 triples, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Brooklyn (6) at Omaha (5) in 10 innings: John Ritch (31-7.8) (7-1) in relief of Ren French (24-4.9) over Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (4-6). In 8 innings, French allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1. At bat, he had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Ritch pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and 2 walks and striking out 1. In 10 innings, Rice allowed 11 hits, 4 walks and struck out 6.

Baltimore (5) at Milwaukee (6): Dan Burton (30-4.9) (7-3) over Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (3-7). Burton allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. Yurkovich allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2. 3B Andy Byl (32-4.0) had 2 hits with a double and an RBI. For the Orioles, CF Nat Lusk (26-6.4) hit a 2-run double but then had to leave the game with a sore back. They say he should be okay in a week.

Providence (11) at Chicago (3): Ed Wison (25-7.3) (8-3) over William Rose (35-4.9) (1-3). Wison allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit. Rookie 1B Sy Cullum (23-5.9) had 2 hits with a triple and scored 3 runs. 2B Tom Hepner (23-7.1) had 3 hits with a double, scored a run and had RBI, but sprained his knee and will likely miss 6 weeks. 3B Sam Clark (35-4.7) had 2 hits, a walk and 2 RBIs in 3 trips to the plate, but fractured a finger and will miss at least a month.

[Questdog]

Saturday, May 15, 1886

Rochester Jingoes (4-9 .308 5 GB tied for 7th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (8-5 .615 1 GB in 3rd place)

Mert Gross, Roch. (28-5.8) (R 0-2 7.77 15.1-4.1-5.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. Ed Bush, Det. (25-5.3) (R 2-0 0.82 3.3-2.9-5.7)

Won - 11 to 2

Bush allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 11. At bat, he had 2 hits with a triple and scored a run.

We had a season high 15 hits and made 3 errors. Rochester made 2.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) had 3 hits, scored a run and had 4 RBIs. CF Ben Spencer (25-4.2) had a hit and a walk and scored 2 runs. LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) hit his 2nd home run and walked twice, scoring 2 runs and knocking in 2. C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) had 2 hits. 3B Sam Boullion (26-4.8) had 2 hits with a double and scored 2 runs. SS Russell Gardner (32-6.4) hit a double and a triple, scored a run and had an RBI. Tom Duncan (21-6.6) had a hit and 2 walks, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Liberty League:
Boston (14) at Cleveland (5): Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (5-1) over Harry Lamb (31-6.4) (2-4). Morlock allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. Harry Lamb is done at 31. He only made it through 4 innings and gave up all 14 runs. Bill Henrichs (26-7.4) came in and shut the Red Caps out over the final 5 innings. CF Pat Stafford (25-5.4) had 4 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. 2B Mike Stables (30-7.1) had 3 hits, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

New York (12) at Philadelphia (2): Jack Roberts (34-6.1) (3-3) over Ted Ryther (32-4.3) (1-5) in relief of Gene Rankins (29-5.4). Roberts allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. Rankins had to leave in the 4th inning with a strained back and should be fine in a week or so. 2B Bill Baker (24-3.6) had 3 hits with a double and a triple and a walk, scored a run and had 3 RBIs. Rookie SS Dave Hay (24-5.7) had 2 hits ans 2 walks and scored 4 runs.

Indianapolis (2) at Cincinnati (6): Lou Ellard (28-6.3) (1-1) over Dad Marshall (27-4.4) (3-3). Ellard allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and scored a run. Marshall allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (0) at Pittsburgh (6): Tom Adams (31-6.0) (2-0) over Dan Butler (28-4.7) (2-7). Adams allowed 3 hits, no walks and struck out 1. Butler allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 4. C Wilson Wendling (25-4.1) had 2 hits with a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs.

Baltimore (5) at Omaha (6): Bill Hamilton (28-5.4) (3-2) over Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (3-7). Hamilton allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. At bat, he had a hit and a walk and scored a run. Wilmarth allowed 10 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3. 2B Warren Hogan (31-7.2) had 3 hits and scored a run. C Jim Granier (30-5.7) had 3 hits with 2 doubles, scored a run and had 4 RBIs and threw out 2 of 3 on stolen base attempts.

Brooklyn (6) at Milwaukee (3): John Ritch (31-7.8) (8-1) over Wiley Steel (24-5.6) (0-3). Ritch allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 2. Steel allowed 13 hits, no walks and struck out 7. At bat, he hit a triple and scored a run.

Providence (5) at Chicago (15): Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (4-6) over Sam Paul (31-5.4) (0-4). Stanley allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 12. 2B Henry Potter (32-6.4) had 3 hits with a double, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs. LF Blondie Reid (24-4.1) had 4 hits with a double and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

[Questdog]

Monday, May 17, 1886

We learned today that Bill McClean (40-6.0) died yesterday from complications of the surgery he underwent to attempt to repair his damaged elbow. McClean, who was a teammate of Reddy Ricker (39-6.0) in the old National Association, won over 380 games as a professional. It would have been over 400, but in the inaugural season of the Liberty League, the New York team signed him to a big contract just so no other team could have him and he did not start a game. Charlie Moss (45-6.3), the Ol' Hoss, was their number one pitcher that season. He won over 40 games 3 times in the 5 seasons of the National Association and his team won 2 championships.

Rochester Jingoes (4-10 .286 6 GB tied for 7th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (9-5 .643 1 GB in 3rd place)

Bill Henson, Roch. (29-6.5) (L 2-4 3.75 9.8-3.9-5.4 H-BB-K/9) vs. William McLeod, Det. (27-5.6) (R 2-4 3.71 7.2-3.5-7.4)

Won - 5 to 0

McLeod allowed 4 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5.

Henson gave us 8 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3.

Each team made 2 errors.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) had 3 hits with a double and a walk and scored 2 runs. 1B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) hit a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. He is still tied for the hit lead, now with 930. LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. SS Russell Gardner (32-6.4) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. 3B Sam Boullion (26-4.8) only had a walk at the plate, but had 8 assists in the field without an error.

Liberty League:
New York (6) at Philadelphia (2): Miah Turner (25-5.3) (4-3) over Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (3-4). Turner allowed 6 hits, no walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and a walk and 2 RBIs. C Fred Clapp (27-4.0) had 3 hits with a double and scored a run.

Grand National Association:
Kansas City (4) at Pittsburgh (2): Al McClaughry (22-5.6) (4-7) over Tom Lilly (26-6.4) (7-5). McClaughry allowed 4 hits, no walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 3 hits. Lilly allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI.

Baltimore (2) at Omaha (8): Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (5-6) over Pop Yurkovich (34-5.6) (3-8). Rice allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. At bat, he walked twice and scored 2 runs. This does not look like the year that Yurky will finally have a winning season. C Ezra Wall (25-5.2) had 2 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had an RBI and threw out 3 of 4 on steal attempts.

Brooklyn (4) at Milwaukee (2): Al Green (23-3.8) (7-3) over Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (7-4). Green allowed 6 hits, 5 walks and struck out 6. At bat, he hit a double, scored a run and had an RBI. Buchanan allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 5. LF Monte Moody (28-6.9) had 3 hits with a double and a walk, stole a base and had 2 RBIs. Brooklyn has now won 13 of their last 14 games.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, May 18, 1886

We begin a 3 game series today against manager/LF Ed Wakefield (26-5.8) and his Hoosiers. They are currently 2nd in the League in scoring with 5.7 runs per game (Detroit is 4th with 4.9). They are 5th in runs allowed with 5.1 per game (Detroit is 2nd with 3.9). When Troy folded, I coveted Wakefield for the Wolverines, but alas there was no place to play him without benching a good player.

Indianapolis Hoosiers (8-7 .533 2.5 GB in 5th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (10-5 .667 0.5 GB tied for 2nd place)

Dad Marshall, Ind. (27-4.4) (R 3-3 3.93 10.3-2.6-5.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. Lou Townley, Det. (24-3.4) (R 4-1 3.20 9.2-1.4-5.8)

Won - 4 to 3

Townley allowed 7 hits, no walks and struck out 6.

Marshall gave us 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4.

We made 1 error and the Hoosiers made 5.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) hit a home run, stole a base and scored twice. CF Ben Spencer (25-4.2) had a hit and a walk, stole 3 bases and scored 2 runs. 1B Sam Cowan (30-5.1) had 3 hits and 3 RBIs. He now leads the Hit Parade, 933 to 931. C Evan Eckberg (30-3.5) had 2 hits, but also made an error and had 2 passed balls.

For the Hoosiers, rookie CF Ed Slonim (23-8.5) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Liberty League:
Boston (7) at Philadelphia (1): Charlie Morlock (36-6.7) (6-1) over Ted Ryther (32-4.3) (1-6). Morlock allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 6. At bat, he had a hit and a walk and scored 2 runs. LF Charlie Warner (32-9.2) had 2 hits and a walk, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Rochester (6) at Cincinnati (5): Ed Hodges (25-3.2) (3-3) over John Stevens (29-8.2) (5-2). Hodges allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. Stevens allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8. CF Howard Witt (27-5.6) hit a triple, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

Grand National Association:
Providence (4) at Brooklyn (12): Ren French (24-4.9) (4-2) over Tom Blomberg (28-4.7) (6-4). French allowed 9 hits, no walks and struck out 2. At bat, he hit a double and had an RBI. CF Piggy Galon (25-4.8) hit a double, drew a walk, stole a base, scored 4 runs and had 2 RBIs. 3B Kid Angell (36-6.0) had 3 hits with a home run and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 4 RBIs. The Gladiators have now won 14 of their last 15.

Chicago (3) at Baltimore (2): Pete Rinehart (27-6.2) (7-4) over Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (3-8). Rinehart allowed 6 hits, 6 walks and struck out 5. Wilmarth allowed 6 hits, 4 walks and struck out 3. 3B Freddy Parsley (26-7.5) had 2 hits, was beaned and scored a run.

Kansas City (7) at Omaha (4): Dan Butler (28-4.7) (3-7) over Bill Hamilton (28-5.4) (3-3). Butler allowed 7 hits, 7 walks and struck out 4. He is not liking the new 6 ball for a walk rule: he is averaging 5.6 walks per 9 innings. He averaged 1.8 for his career before this season. Hamilton allowed 8 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. SS Jim McCarthy (24-7.5) had 4 hits with 3 doubles (ties the GNA record) and scored 3 runs.

Pittsburgh (7) at Milwaukee (8): Dan Burton (30-4.9) (8-3) over Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (6-5). 2B Lou Bohus (26-5.4) had 3 hits, stole a base, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, May 19, 1886

Indianapolis Hoosiers (8-8 .500 3.5 GB in 5th place in the Liberty League) at
Detroit Wolverines (11-5 .688 0.5 GB in 2nd place)

Levi Giddens, Ind. (34-4.8) (R 0-1 5.63 12.4-4.5-2.3 H-BB-K/9) vs. William McLeod, Det. (27-5.6) (R 3-4 3.15 6.8-3.1-7.0)

Won - 2 to 1

McLeod allowed 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 12. He struck out the 1st 4 batters of the game.

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

We made no errors for the 1st time this season and the Hoosiers made 4.

RF Joe Kraus (29-7.9) had 2 hits, but got caught stealing twice. LF Ben Smith (26-6.7) had 2 hits with his 3rd home run of the season, stole a base and had 2 RBIs. C Jimmy Babcock (29-6.9) had 2 hits and no passed balls. Hoosiers, rookie CF Ed Slonim (23-8.5) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Liberty League:
Boston (25) at Philadelphia (4): Joe Peters (30-4.9) (5-1) over Fred Barrow (34-4.7) (3-5). Peters allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had 2 hits with a double and a walk, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Boston only had 17 hits, but 13 walks and Philly made 6 errors. Barrow only went 4 innings and allowed 17 runs and 8 walks. 3B George Hartman (35-3.1) pitched the final 5 innings and did better than Barrow, allowing 8 runs and 5 walks. LF Charlie Warner (32-9.2) had 3 hits and a walk and scored 5 runs. !!2B Mike Stables (30-7.1) had a pretty good day at the plate, I'd say. He had 5 hits with a triple, scored 3 runs and had 9 RBIs, to set a new major league record!!

Rochester (10) at Cincinnati (6) in 11 innings: Bill Henson (29-6.5) (3-5) over Bert Fischer (25-5.6) (2-2). In 11 innings, Henson allowed 10 hits, 10 walks and struck out 3. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. C Jim Martin (24-5.0) had 4 hits with a double, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Rochester scored 4 times in the top of the 11th after the 1st 2 batters were put out. For the Reds, 1B Joe Vaughan (31-5.2) had 3 hits with a triple and his 3rd home run of the year, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Grand National Association:
Providence (1) at Brooklyn (6): Al Green (23-3.8) (8-3) over Ed Wison (25-7.3) (8-4). Green allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit and 2 RBIs. Wison allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit and a walk. RF Tom Campbell (27-3.6) had 3 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. The Gladiators have now won 15 of their last 16.

Chicago (6) at Baltimore (7): Tom Wilmarth (26-5.4) (4-8) over Pony Stanley (22-6.2) (4-7). Wilmarth allowed 9 hits, 3 walks and struck out 3. Stanley allowed 4 hits, 5 walks and struck out 5. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Baltimore scored 4 times in the bottom of the 9th to win and only had 1 hit in the inning. The game ended with 4 consecutive errors. Chicago made 9 in the game. For the Colts, C George Sandefur (30-5.8) had 3 hits with his 4th home run of the year, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBIs.

Kansas City (7) at Omaha (6): Al McClaughry (22-5.6) (5-7) over Skyrocket Rice (21-5.2) (5-7). McClaughry allowed 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 4. At bat, he had a hit and an RBI. Rice allowed 8 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. The Cowboys made 6 errors to the Mutuals' 1, but won anyway. LF Lou Baggett (24-4.2) had 2 hits with a triple, stole a base, scored a run and had 3 RBIs.

Pittsburgh (5) at Milwaukee (2): Whitey Mathews (23-4.1) (7-5) over Zachary Buchanan (25-4.0) (7-5). Mathews allowed 9 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7. Buchanan allowed 11 hits, 1 walk and struck out 8. At bat, he had a hit. SS Jim Ware (32-5.6) had 3 hits with a home run and 3 RBIs. CF Billy Galloway (24-53) had 3 hits with a double and his 3rd home run of the season. For Milwaukee, 2B Lou Bohus (26-5.4) continued his hot hitting with 4 hits, including a triple. He stole 2 bases and scored a run.