Sox Century: May 12, 1917

Once again, the White Sox dug themselves a hole in a series, losing the first two to the Yankees.

Once again, they showed an ability to claw their way out of it, even without an offense.

The lineup was still largely missing in action, but they took advantage of a four-error game by New York for a couple of unearned runs, which was enough to support a complete game by Jim Scott for a 2-1 victory.

The Sox scored a run four innings before they had a hit. George Mogridge pitched a gem for the Yankees, but he started his day with a pair of walks, one of which turned into a run after a fielder’s choice and a double steal in described thusly by the Chicago Examiner:

A double steal was started and [catcher Les] Nunamaker snapped a throw to third. The ball hit [Buck] Weaver in the back and rolled away, permitting Buck to scoot home.

The Yankees answered with a double steal of their own under similar circumstances, and the Sox botched it in a different way. From the Chicago Tribune:

When they started a double steal [Ray] Schalk fired the ball toward second. Eddie Collins ran in to intercept it, but seeing [Fritz] Maisel tarrying at third, let the ball go to get [Wally] Pipp. [Swede] Risberg wasn’t far enough over to stop the throw, and while [Happy] Felsch was retrieving it Maisel scored.

But just as soon as the White Sox gave the Yankees a run, the Yankees gave it right back. Eddie Collins reached second with one out when Tim Hendryx dropped his fly ball in right field, then scored when Pipp botched Joe Jackson’s grounder at first.

Even then, the White Sox still sought their first hit. Scott finally broke that column of the scoreboard by singling in the fifth, the first of just three Chicago hits on the day. Andy Hawkins had no precedent here.

Scott allowed twice as many hits as Mogridge, but half as many runs. Both pitchers were aided — and hampered — by more unseasonably cold May weather, according to the Tribune:

The frigid weather, which was cold enough to set the teeth of a brass monkey chattering, probably was responsible for some of the slips, for it was impossible to keep one’s hooks warm without the aid of mittens.

The Tribune also referred to Scott as “the Wyoming nimrod,” which I never knew was once a compliment.

Record: 15-12 | Box score