by Scott Fennessy
8/29/1905
Boston, MA
The Cubs take on the Braves in game two of this series. The Giants and Cubs are easily the two hottest teams in the game and this battle continues to rage with the Giants just percentage points ahead of the Cubs.
Today sees Ed Reulbach against Vic Willis in another expected duel, and neither pitcher disappoints. Reulbach is perfect going into the 4th inning and the score is still 0-0 when Harry Wolverton gets a two out double, but is stranded at second to keep the game scoreless.
The Cubs finally break this open in the 5th, and it is a familiar story for Willis and the Braves. A leadoff error opens the door as Art Hofman is now at second with one out and the light hitting Reulbach slips a Seeing Eye single up the middle scoring “Circus Solly” with the first run of the day. The Cubs threaten for more, but Willis shuts it down and the Cubs only score the one run, but this could be big considering how well “Big Ed” is pitching today.
Reulbach gets another 1-2-3 inning and the Cubs press the advantage again in the 6th. Frank Chance rips a leadoff triple to right, and is now 3-3 on the day. Jim Casey hits one to deep center field, and sends Virgin Cannell to the warning track where he makes the catch, but Chance tags and scores and the lead is now two. Johnny Kling gets a single and is stranded, but it appears he is starting to come around a bit.
The score was still 2-0 visitors with one out in the 8th, and the Cubs with runners on the corners when Johnny Kling hits a sac fly to bring the lead to 3-0. That would end the scoring for the day as Willis pitched very well in the loss, but Reulbach allows just 3 hits and gets the shutout victory.
Frank Chance goes 4-4 with a stolen base as the Cubs keep the pressure on the Giants to win.
