OTD 9/2/1914: Sun Sets on Bad Day for Tip Tops at Buffalo

From the desk of: THE BROOKLYN BAKERS NINE

Brooklyn @ Buffalo Tied 1-1-1

I - BTT 4; BUF 1

II - BUF 3; BTT 1

III - BUF 5; BTT 5*

BROOKLYN TIP TOPS ACQUIRE MORDECAI BROWN

• Nine Seasons w/ Chicago Cubs (1904-1912).
• 188-86 record with 1.80 ERA.
• Six-time 20-game winner.
• 1906: 1.04 ERA leads National League.
• 1909: 27 victories, 32 complete games leads National League.
• October 1912 released by Cubs.
• December 1913 jumps from Cincinnati Reds to Federal League (St. Louis Terriers).
• Mordecai Brown - BR

Rain forces a postponement of Tuesday's game necessitating Wednesday's double-header.  Buffalo outlasts Brooklyn in the opener.  Game two is suspended in the 12th inning with the game tied at five.

GAME ONE

• BOXSCORE: Wednesday, September 2, 1914 - BR

Making his eighth career start Jim Bluejacket is opposed by Buffalo's Earl Moore.  The Buf-Feds score single runs in the first, second, and third innings.  Brooklyn manages an unearned run in the seventh but little else.  Moore yields one unearned run on four scattered hits and seven walks with four strikeouts through nine innings for his ninth victory of the season.  Jim Bluejacket pitches well enough, allowing three earned runs on six hits and no walks with one strikeout through six innings for the hard luck loss.  First baseman Steve Evans is 2 for 2 with two walks and accounts for half of Brooklyn's hits.  The former St. Louis Cardinal lifts his average back up to a .353 mark.  Right fielder Claude Cooper drives in his 20th run of the season but the Tip Tops leave ten runners on base. Buffalo shortstop Baldy Louden is 2 for 3 with a walk, stolen base, and a home run.

GAME TWO

• BOXSCORE: Wednesday, September 2, 1914 - BR

Wednesday's second game is a back and forth affair until sunlight calls it a day.  Buffalo jumps out to an early 3-0 lead until Brooklyn finally posts a run in the fifth.  The Buf-Feds tack on another run in the sixth.  But the Tip Tops storm back with four runs in the eighth for a 5-4 lead.  However their lead is short lived.  Buffalo rallies for a run in the home ninth sending the game into extra-innings.  After three scoreless frames, the game is called after nearly two and one-half hours of late afternoon play.  Ed Lafitte makes the start and is opposed by Buf-Fed Al Schultz.  Lafitte yields three earned runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts through four innings.  Bill Chappelle allows an unearned run through three innings pitched in relief of Lafitte.  The great Mordecai Brown, recently acquired from the St. Louis Terriers, makes his first appearance as a member of the Brooklyn Tip Tops.  He surrenders just one earned run on three hits and no walks with six strikeouts through five innings pitched in relief of Chappelle.  In 26 appearances with St. Louis, the 37-year old posted a nifty 12-6 record and 3.29 ERA with 81 strikeouts through 175 innings pitched.  Manager Bill Bradley, making his sixth game appearance of the season, helps the team cause with a pinch hit and run batted in.  Otherwise the Tip Tops get runs batted in from Solly Hofman, Grover Land, Jim Delehanty, and Tex Wisterzil.  Buffalo starting pitcher Al Schultz likewise helps his own cause going 2 for 2 at the plate with two runs batted in.

First place Indianapolis defeat the ChiFeds at Weegham Park and now lead Chicago by two games.  Fourth place Brooklyn (58-57) now falls 7.5 games back of the Hoosiers with 39 games left to play.

No rest for the weary.  There's another scheduled twin bill to be played on Thursday before the Tip Tops return home to Brooklyn.