@ Weegham Park

Clint Rogge started for the Rebels.
Mike Pendergast got the nod for the Whales.

The top of the First Inning was a hard one to swallow for hometown Chicago. Pittsburgh's Jim Kelly grounded out, Steve Yerkes chopped a single up the middle then first baseman Joe Konetchy belted a long drive to centerfield that rattled around long enough to give Konetchy time to round all the bases for an inside-the-park 2-run home run. After one-half inning the Whales found themselves behind, 2-0.

In the bottom of the First Inning, the Whales put together back-to-back hits of their own (one, a bunt single) before center fielder Dutch Zwilling popped a double to left field that scored 1 run and put left fielder Max Flack on third base with one out. Catcher All Wilson then grounded out but Flack came home with the tying run.

Fred Beck (CHI) led off the Fourth Inning with a double, moved to third base on a single by shortstop Jimmy Smith. Pitcher Pendergast then whacked a fly ball deep enough to right field to give Beck time enough to tag up and score. At the end of four innings, the Whales led, 3-2.

Chicago held their lead behind Pendergast's solid effort through the end of the Seventh Inning.

Pittsburgh turned to bunting in an effort to get to Pendergast in the Eighth Inning. Two bunt singles put Al Wickland on second and Mike Mowrey on first with no outs. Pendergast then walked Rebel Oakes to load the bases with no outs. Marty Berghammer nipped a slanting grounder right to Chicago first baseman Beck who booted the ball into foul territory letting the tying run score. The rough inning was not over yet for Beck who, with Rebel pitcher Rogge at the plate next, had a sharply hit ground ball shoot by him into right field; Mowrey and Oakes scored. Kelly flew out next, scoring Berghammer from third base. The Eighth Inning ended with the Rebels ahead, 6-3.

Joe Tinker (CHI) tried to inspire his team by pinch hitting in the Ninth Inning but all he could do was draw a base on balls and end up stranded at first base when the game ended in another Whales loss.

Final Score:
Pittsburgh Rebels: 6   Chicago Whales: 3

(I have to admit, I got away from small-ball for the Whales as the game wore on. I had too much confidence in Pendergast, I guess. This is a great set of teams. Deadball Era Rules and additional rules that come with the set work really well)

Chicago Replay Record: 0 Wins 4 Losses
Chicago Actual Record: 3 Wins 1 Loss

@ Weegham Park

Elmer Knetzer took the hill for the visiting Rebels.
Claude Hendrix got the start for the Whales.

Knetzer (PIT) got through the first two innings with no problems before pulling something in his right shoulder that caused him to leave the game. Cy Barger entered the game in relief. Knetzer should be fully ready for his next start.

Hendrix (CHI) allowed two base runners in each of the first two innings but got out of those situations unscathed. In the Third Inning Hendrix walked Pittsburgh first baseman Ed Konetchy with one out and then gave up a long, curving drive to left fielder Al Wickland that got by Chicago right fielder Les Mann for a triple. Konetchy easily scored the game's first run. Hendrix then plunked Rebels player/manager Rebel Oakes but was able to get out of the inning without taking further damage.

The Whales were their own worse enemies on the base paths, getting picked off of first base in the Fifth Inning, caught in a pop-out double play in the Seventh Inning and finishing with shortstop Jimmy Smith getting thrown out at second base in the Eighth Inning by Pittsburgh catcher, Claude Berry.

Pittsburgh managed back-to-back bunt singles in the Seventh Inning, but nothing came of them.

Left fielder, Max Flack (CHI) led of the bottom of the Ninth Inning with a single past Rebel third baseman, Mike Mowery and reached second base with no out. Flack then was gunned down trying to get to third base on center fielder Dutch Zwilling's ground ball. Whales catcher Art Wilson then skied a double down the line in right that put Zwilling on third base and himself on second base with only one out.

Barger (PIT) convinced Oakes to let him stay on the mound for the next Whales batter, right fielder Les Mann. Barger coaxed Mann to pop up to Rebels second baseman, Steve Yerkes. From his spot in centerfield, Oakes nodded at Barger to face the next batter, Chicago first baseman Fred Beck. Barger worked his magic again and Beck popped up weakly to shortstop Marty Berghammer to end the game.

Final Score: Pittsburgh Rebels: 1 Chicago Whales: 0

Whales Replay Record: 0 Wins 3 Losses
Whales Actual Record: 2 Wins 1 Loss

(I used the bunt a lot more this game – for both teams. I was surprised at how much another layer of strategy came in to play. Most of these players on these teams are Fine Bunters, as are the pitchers. The encouragement I received from Downey Games to play small-ball more with this season set bore out as great advice. I had loads of fun with it. I will keep with the small-ball....the Whales need some help.)

@ Weeghman Park

Frank Allen got the start for the visiting Rebels.
Mordecai Brown got the nod for the Whales.

Chicago took a 2-0 lead at then end of the Third Inning thanks to 3 hits and a walk.

Rollie Zeider, Whales second baseman, twisted his ankle on a play and was out of this game and will be out of the next two games as well.

Pittsburgh notched a run in the top of the Fourth Inning on a Jim Kelly single and an Ed Konetchy double.

Brown (CHI) helped his own cause with an opportune single that scored two runs in the bottom of the Fourth Inning to give the Whales a 4-1 lead.

Brown (CHI) was unable to keep the Rebels down in the top of the Fifth Inning as he gave up 2 walks a double and an untimely wild pitch that let Pittsburgh plate 2 runs. Brown's control was growing suspect as was his composure. Three-Finger had let the Rebels climb back to within one run at 4-3.

Brown (CHI) surrendered three straight singles in the top of the Seventh Inning. Pittsburgh used those hits to knot the game at 4 runs a piece. Brown was losing his cool on the mound and his frustration spilled over into the home Whales dugout. Chicago was warned by the umpires not to push their dissatisfaction with the ball/strike calls any further. By this time Brown was beside himself and gave up another hit and 2 more runs before giving way to Dave Black with his team then behind, 6-4.

Allen (PIT) put the Whales on lockdown from the Fifth Inning on and gave up only 2 hits until he left the game for Ralph Comstock after the Eighth Inning. Comstock closed the door on the frustrated Whales and sealed the win.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 6  Chicago 4
(The actual score for the game in 1915 was 6-5 in favor of the Whales)

Chicago Replay Record: 0 Wins 2 Losses
Chicago Actual Record: 2 Wins 0 Losses

@ Wheegham Field

George McConnell got the start for Chicago.
Ernie Herbert took the mound for St. Louis.

McConnell (CHI) began the game by giving up two straight singles but didn't allow another hit until the Sixth Inning.

Herbert (STL) allowed 2 straight hits in the Second Inning and then only had one rough spot in the Fourth Inning when he gave up back-to-back walks and and a single that gave Chicago their only run of the game.

McConnell (CHI) was hurt by an error by first baseman Joe Weiss in the Seventh Inning that led to the tying St. Louis run.

Harry Fritz (CHI) third baseman for the Whales blasted a shot in the Eighth Inning (with a man on base) that was caught at the left field wall for an out.

McConnell couldn't get through the Ninth Inning after giving up a lead-off double to Ward Miller and a follow-up walk to Delos Drake. Brennan relieved McConnell but gave an RBI single to pinch-hitter Bobby Vaughn that put St. Louis ahead in the top of the Ninth.

William Fischer (CHI) drew a pinch-hit walk in the bottom of the Ninth Inning but was stranded at first base by Terrier relief pitcher, Bob Groom.

Final Score: St. Louis 2 Chicago 1

Chicago Replay Record: 0 Wins 1 Loss
Chicago Actual Record: 1 Wins 0 Losses