Monarchs Surge, Cubans Rise, and the Grays Draw Comparisons to the Pirates

Content from the Pittsburgh Courier - Saturday June 19, 1926

In This Edition

• GRAYS LOSE TO NATIONAL TUBE IN 16-INNING GAME
• CHICAGO TAKES PLUNGE AS MONARCHS WIN FIVE IN ROW; A.B.C.'S SECOND
• CUBANS IN RARE FORM, SOX LOSE 2
• DIAMOND DOPE
• EASTERN SNAPSHOTS
• Negro National League Batting Leaders
• ADVERTISEMENTS

GRAYS LOSE TO NATIONAL TUBE IN 16-INNING GAME

JIM UCHRINSKO AND "SMOKY JOE" WILLIAMS IN GREAT EXHIBITION

Ollie Carnegie's terrific liner in the sixteenth inning with Jimmy Durkin and Jack Snyder on the bases, broke up a beautiful ball game on Saturday afternoon at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, and gave the National Tube club a 5 to 4 victory over the Homestead Grays before a crowd estimated at 5,000 people.

Until the sixteenth, it looked as if the game would result in a tie, for both Jimmy Uchrinsko and Smoky Joe Williams, the opposing pitchers were going strong and although each permitted several batsmen to get as far as third base in the extra innings, they tightened up and from the eighth inning until Ollie Carnegie hit his single, not a player on either team crossed the plate with a run.

Smokey Joe's First Defeat

It was "Smokey Joe's" first defeat of the season and the Tubers' victory evens the teams in the matter of games won and lost. The Grays and the Tubers played a 1 to 1 tie at Cycler Park several weeks ago and in a second game at the same place, the Grays took a 4 to 2 victory. Incidentally it was the third time this season that Uchrinsko and Williams have faced each other on the mound.

Throughout the prolonged struggle interest in the game remained at high pitch. Several times between the ninth and the sixteenth innings, both teams had opportunities to score, but neither seemed to possess the necessary punch. Uchrinsko and Williams were both going strong at the end of the game, and this may have had something to do with the inability of the players to cross the home plate in safety.

Messier's Peg Saves Run

The applause-producing events in the game were furnished by the Tubers. In the sixth inning, Smith, Grays' third baseman, sent a long drive to the flagpole and when the ball was returned to the infield, he was on the hot cushion. George Washington sent a long sacrifice fly to Messier and after the catch, Smith made a dash for the plate, but Messier's perfect throw to Snyder caught him just a fraction of a second before he reached his destination and that run was cut off.

In the eleventh inning, the Grays threw their chance to win the game to the winds. Vic Harris hit a terrific line drive to the center field fence. It looked like a sure home run and Ernie Pratt getting the ball threw to Frey, who relayed it into Snyder and nipped Harris as he came sliding in. Had he been safe, the game would have been over and the Grays would have been the victors.

It was dumb baserunning that caused the Grays to lose the game. Mo Harris was coaching third, when Vic hit the ball to the fence and he saw Pratt throw to Frey. To hold Harris at third would have been the logical play, for Pierce the next man up, singled and Harris would have scored with ease with the winning run.

Grays Count 4 in Eighth

All of the Grays' runs came in the eighth frame. Joe Williams doubled to the fence. Streeter, batting for Gray, singled, sending Williams to third. Roberts was sent in to run for Streeter. Buck Williams flied out to Carnegie, who made a beautiful one-hand catch near the left field fence. Joe Williams scored after Carnegie made the catch. Smith forced Roberts at second. Two were out and one run was in.

It looked as if the Grays would get but one run in the inning for two men were already out. Washington, next man up, singled and Smith stopped at second. Judy Johnson Graham singled and Smith scored, Washington going to third. Graham stole second. V. Harris doubled to the right field stands, when Messier, backed up against the stands, made a one-hand catch and then dropped the ball. Tony made a great try for the ball and was completely off balance, hence the error. Washington and Graham scored on the play. The count was tied at 4 all. Uchrinsko tightened up and made Pierce fly out. The score:

CHICAGO TAKES PLUNGE AS MONARCHS WIN FIVE IN ROW; A.B.C.’S SECOND

St. Louis in Third Place As National League Race Tightens—Martin, With .467 Mark, Leads Hitters.

By A. D. Williams
(For The Associated Negro Press)

CHICAGO, Ill., June 17—For once, at least, in the National League the dope artist hit it right on last week’s play, and true to the prediction, several changes were made in the standing of the league clubs. Chicago took a plunge cellar-wards at Kansas City when the Windy City aggregation handed the clan of Rube Foster a five-straight beating, making it nine out of ten games played between these two clubs this season. By dropping the entire series to the Kansas City Monarchs, the Chicago American Giants at the close of the last week’s play were tied with Detroit for fourth place, with St. Louis Stars still on their menu before returning to the home lot.

Indianapolis A.B.C.'s, resembling somewhat the old-time aggregation, made famous by the late C. I. Taylor, invaded St. Louis, and while they did not do as well as they had hoped, they managed to take the Stars into camp two of the five games which placed them safely into second place with the Cuban Stars (West) playing them at Indianapolis this week.

St. Louis had a great week, even if they did not do the A. B. C.’s as much damage as they had accorded the other late entrants into the Mound City seeking battle, they managed to take enough games (3) during the week to place the Stars in third place, 27 points ahead of the Foster hirelings, who are playing the St. Louis club this week.

The Cubans and Dayton Marcos were idle last week and consequently did not suffer any in the rise and fall of the clubs. Cleveland Elites had another disastrous week at Detroit and is facing the Kansas City Monarchs at Chicago in the absence of the Giants in a 3-game series, while Detroit Stars are playing the Dayton Marcos this week at Dayton.

Judging from all indications and dope at hand, the American Giants, unless they can decisively defeat St. Louis this week, will drop still lower. Tied with Detroit for fourth place in the standing with Detroit playing Dayton does not look so good for the Fosterites. Detroit is almost certain to capture four of the five games, but it is hardly expected that Rube will do so well at St. Louis. The A. B. C.’s will have to stop the Cubans decisively to hold their 30-point lead over St. Louis. Anyway, one may take it—there is going to be some hot doings in the National League during the present week. Four wins by any of the 3-4-5 place clubs will play havoc with the standing. Who will be the victims? Your guess is good as anyone’s. A glance at the great change in the batting averages of the league should shed a ray of light on the situation.

CUBANS IN RARE FORM, SOX LOSE 2

BALTIMORE, Md., June 13 — Fresh from a shutout victory over Hilldale Club Saturday, the Cuban Stars (West) presented a big league brand of ball to take a doubleheader from the Baltimore Black Sox, winning the first game 7 to 1 and the second 5 to 1.

The first game was a thrilling duel between Strong and Martín Dihigo, until the eighth inning, when five runs were scored.

The Cubans played a game that is seen in the American and National league parks. The Sox only got three hits off Dihigo. Strong cracked in the eighth. José Mesa singled and Julián Fernández was hit by a pitched ball. Ramón Cárdenas beat out a bunt, loading the bags. Alejandro Portuondo sent a hot drive to Wilson, who knocked it down, but Mesa and Fernandez scored. Dihigo was walked purposely. Rafael Crespo beat out an infield hit, loading the bags. Pedro Baró single scored Cardenas and Dihigo. José Chacón sacrificed and scored Crespo. Strong’s hit scored the lone Sox run.

Sunday the Sox play Hilldale a doubleheader in Baltimore.

DIAMOND DOPE

By: William G. Nunn

Local fandom, aroused to fever heat by the phenomenal record of the Homestead Grays, have had many a street croner, front porch and pool room and barber shop argument about the chances of the Homestead Grays with the Pittsburgh Pirates over an extended series of games. The subject is one which, on the surface, is very easy to analyze. But facts will have to be produced. Beginning next week, a series of articles will start, which will carry the reader along with both clubs, from the start of spring training until the last game is played.

EASTERN SNAPSHOTS

BY W. ROLLO WILSON

MY GOOD FRIEND Alejandro Pompez, who is by no means a blatant purveyor of words, assured me some weeks since that his Cuban Stars (East) were going to be in the Eastern league race up to their necks and he knew whereof he orated. With three wins out of four starts from Clan Darbie they are right up among the leaders. They have assumed their natural position in baseball and much of their success is due to the skillful handling of Pompez and the improved health of José Chacón, that ancient shortstopper.

The Cubans have the best outfield in the league. They have, in Martín Dihigo, the game’s prize utility man; he can pitch, catch and field any position. Variously called Oscar, Oscar of Levis is one of the topnotch hurlers of this or any circuit. Saturday, against the slugging Darbyites he yielded one hit. The rest of the club is fast, intelligent and aggressive.

Brains, speed and punch always win out in the final round with dumb luck taking the count from one on the button.

THERE IS A PITCHER with the Newton Coal team in Philly who has everything. His monicker is Wright and the various semi-pros of the district are having rough evenings when they bump up against this coal heaver. He has turned back most of them and his string shows a four-hit, no-run battle with the Harrisburg Giants. Holding Charleston and his wreckers to four bingles is a yeoman feat and they were up there taking toe holds, too.

When Wright is right, all’s wrong with his enemies.

HAVE NOT SEEN THE Newark Stars in action yet, but my volunteer assistants tell me that they need everything. It can’t be that bad for there are some mighty good men on the club roster. Of course, it is a new team and the men have not developed co-ordination.

I cannot see a club with Corporal Charley Mason, Tom Allen, Andy Harris, Wayne Carr, Seay, Newt Allen, Gisentaner and Gee staying in the depths all summer. It’s not being done, but if so be it happens there is an oderiferous, putrid something in Denmark, which is another way of saying that an Ethiopian is concealed by the kindling wood.

Negro National League Batting Leaders

By A. D. Williams, Director of Records, National League

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