1905 Chicago Cubs replay update: Northsiders lose ground against Braves

by Scott Fennessy

Chicago, IL 8/2/1905

The Cubs face the Braves in the opening game in this series. After yesterday’s spanking at the hands of the Phillies I am hoping they come out firing on all cylinders. “Big Jeff” Pfeffer (one of Tom’s favorite old time Cubs) is on the bump today against Chick Fraser who has had a rough go of things in 1905.

Both pitchers are in control early and no score at the end of the day although the Cubs missed an opportunity in the second when Frank Chance was stranded at second after leading off the second and reaching on Harry Wolverton’s throwing error and the Braves got robbed twice in the third on two terrific plays by Billy Maloney and Chance. The Braves draw first blood in the fourth though as Ed Abbaticchio singles and moves to third on Fred Tenney’s single and with runners on the corners and one out Jim Delahanty hits a ground that Joe Tinker makes a good play to his left, but had no play on the runner at home and had to take the out at first. The Cubs go scoreless in the bottom of the inning and we go to the 5th 1-0 Braves. This lack of run production for long stretches has really set the Cubs back lately. Hopefully this will change soon.

Unfortunately the Cubs normally solid fielding one let them down today as Pat Moran hits a routine grounder and Tinker flat out boots it. The door is now open and the Braves who have not been the most aggressive team in the NL this year take advantage. Reserve outfielder Virgin Cannell (yes that is his name and not a typo) gets a single moving runners to the corners. The speedy outfielder and number 8 hitter Bill Lauterborn (another reserve that player/manager Moran has in the lineup today) is very good at drawing walks so the hit and run is on. This was close at second and he’s in there just ahead of the throw. Lauterborn then gets a fastball high and outside and he goes the opposite way with it, and this one slips into the gap and he has a 2 RBI double and the visitors have broken this one open. Abbaticchio then gets a single to center and Lauterborn scores. Pfeffer gets the remaining to hitters but the damage is done and the Braves lead 4-0.

The score remained the same when the Cubs FINALLY break through in the 7th (ending a 15 inning scoreless streak) when Jimmy Slagle gets a single to right and steals second shortly after. Pfeffer, who was given this start specifically as he is a good hitting pitcher gets a single to right and Slagle scores easily. Fraser calms down and the inning ends 4-1 Braves in front.

Unfortunately for the Cubs they immediately give the Braves that run back as Tenney draws a walk and scores one out later on Jim Delahanty’s single. Pfeffer limps through the inning but this one appears over as the Cubs bats have been very quiet today as they go down in the bottom of the 8th. Pfeffer finally closes the door on a rather forgettable day and the Cubs bat in the ninth down by 4. Now the Cubs finally get their bats in gear. Kling gets a big leadoff double and Slagle draws a walk. Tinker moves the runners to second and third, but pinch hitter Jack McCarthy pops up to Fraser just in front of the mound, and its up to Maloney who has really had a tough go of things lately. Billy comes through however with a single to left center scoring both runners. Maloney then gets the easy steal of second and suddenly they have a chance at this. Unfortunately Johnny Evers and his hitting streak come to an end as the Cubs drop a heart breaker 5-3.

Honestly until the ninth the Braves completely owned Pfeffer so the fact that they made it this close was a miracle. Thank goodness that Ed Reulbach will be back in 2 days and in time to reclaim the #1 spot in the rotation.

Giants 60 21
Cubs 57 26
Pirates 49 31

[photo credit]