World Series Flashback: 1915, Game Four

The Philadelphia Phillies made their first appearance in the World Series in 1915, when they challenged a talented Boston Red Sox squad. The Phillies came in to their first Fall Classic as the clear underdogs, as Boston was familiar with postseason play. Featuring pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander and power hitter Gavy Craveth, the Phillies would face a stiff test in the Red Sox, who were loaded with so much talent that young pitcher Babe Ruth only made one appearance in the Series—as a pinch hitter.

We continue our flashback with a look at game four of the 1915 World Series, played in Boston.

A day after going down two games to one in the World Series to the Boston Red Sox, the Phillies sent George Chalmers to the mound. His offense did not do a great job of backing him up though.

In the first inning, the Phillies probably ran themselves out of a good start. After Milt Stock singled to left field to lead the game off, he was out at second as he tried to stretch a double out of the line drive. Dave Bancroft then walked in the second at-bat for the Phillies. He, too, should have been out at second, but reached on an attempted steal thanks to an error. Bancroft remained at second though, as the next two batters struck out.

The Red Sox put themselves on the scoreboard first in the third inning. Boston second baseman Jack Barry drew a lead-off walk off of Chalmers. A bunt single moved him to second base, and a sacrifice bunt sent him to third. Harry Hooper’s one-out single scored Barry, but the Red Sox failed to score the runner at third with one out before the inning ended.

In the sixth inning, the Red Sox expanded their lead to two runs. Dick Hoblitzel hit a one-out single and scored on a double by Duffy Lewis. Trailing 2-0 things started to look bleak for the Phillies as they were starting to run out of at-bats.

But the game was not over yet. In the eighth inning Craveth hit a two-out triple to deep center field. Craveth would score on a a single by Fred Luderus. Luderus was replaced by pinch runner Oscar Dugey, who successfully stole second base. Left fielder Possum Whitted though grounded out to end the inning, killing the rally.

Boston retired the Phillies batters in 1-2-3 fashion and took a commanding three games to one lead. The World Series headed back to Philadelphia for game five the very next day.