August 17, 1935 Tigers 3, Yankees 2 (69-39)

The Tigers gave Navin Field’s faithful a great game as the Tigers increased their lead over the Yankees to a season high seven games. The Tigers got on the board with single runs in both the first and second inning against Yanks starter Lefty Gomez. The Yankees then answered with runs in the third and the fifth before the game settled into a solid pitchers dual.

In the bottom of the tenth, Goose Goslin singled but was forced out on a fielder choice by Billy Rogell. Ray Hayworth followed that up with a double which put runners on second and third. Gomez intentionally walked Marv Owen when the blunder of the game happened. Mickey Cochrane put himself in as a pinch hitter for General Crowder and hit a grounder to Yankees second baseman Jack Saltzgaver. While playing in, the backup infielder seemed confused as to whether he should try to get the runner out at home or whether he should try for a double play. In his confusion, he simply threw the ball to first base for the out, but Rogell scored to win the game.

The game almost had a brawl as well. In the sixth inning, Yankees shortstop Tony Lazzeri tried taking out Marv Owen at third. Both players threw out threats, but nothing came of it.

General Crowder threw an awesome game. He went ten innings and he gave up only two runs on ten hits. He also outdueled a future Hall of Famer to take the first game of a pivotal series.

Permalink | Posted in 1935 Diary