On Thursday, July 18, 1935, not more than two miles from where I presently live, Joe Rosner's Bay Parkway Dukes defeat Cum Posey's Negro National League Homestead Grays in the first-ever night game at Erasmus Field, McDonald Avenue at the Avenue M Station along the Culver Line.
BAY PARKWAY DUKES vs.
With a new lighting system in place, George Smith starts for the Bay Parkways and is opposed by Tom "Big Train" Parker for Homestead. The Grays apparently see the ball well as they jump out to a prompt 2-0 lead in the first. Bay Parkway answers with runs in the third and fourth innings. The Homestead Grays then take a 3-2 lead in the fifth, but it does not last again. The Dukes tie the game in the sixth, then erupt for three runs in the seventh for a 6-3 lead. The teams again traded two runs apiece in the eighth inning, giving Bay Parkway an 8-5 lead and the final margin of victory, but not before Homestead poses one last threat.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, and first baseman Buck Leonard due up, manager Harry Hesse removes George Smith in favor of Al Morris. Leonard had previously doubled and homered off Smith. When play resumes, Al Morris strikes out Buck Leonard on three pitches to end the game.
George Smith yields five runs on seven hits and five walks with ten strikeouts through 8.2 innings pitched for the win. Four of Homestead's seven hits go for extra bases; left fielder Vic Harris goes 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored; center fielder Ray Brown triples in four at-bats and pitches in relief of Big Train Parker (striking out four with one walk), while Buck Leonard accounts for six total bases.
Homestead starter Tom Parker allows eight runs on seven hits and seven walks with 13 strikeouts in a losing effort. The slugging Parkways make their hits count as five go for extra bases. Right fielder Bruce Caldwell leads the Dukes, going 2 for 4 with a double, home run, and two runs scored, and Frank Posnack is 2 for 5 with two doubles and one run scored.
First Night Game at Erasmus Field, Brooklyn
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