'53 Nats take 2 of 3 from '71 Pale hose with two shutouts

1953 Washington Senators (M.Weiss) & 1971 Chicago White Sox (D.Holm)

GAME 1: WAS 1, CHW 0 (10 inn)

The Pale Hose left 15 runners on base and failed to plate a run against Masterson and company. Washington wasn't knocking down any fences either and had two runners pegged at the plate to thwart rallies. A two out single in the 10th by Eddie "the walking man" Yost plated Mickey Grasso (who led off the inning w/a single) as the Nats won 1-0. Kealy took the loss for Chicago and Sonny Dixon won the game in relief for Washington.

GAME 2: CHW 6, WAS 5

The law of averages states that a lack of offense will usually be followed by an offensive outburst. Game 2 saw 10 more runs scored than the opener. Washington starter Chuck Stobbs was cruising until the top of the 9th when he lost it and reliever Sonny Dixon couldn't help. Chicago plated 3 runs that inning and Vicente Romo was stellar in 4 shutout innings in relief as he notched the win. Romo even started the rally to ignite the 3 run outburst in the 9th.

GAME 3: WAS 4, CHW 0

Rain and Washington's bats chased southpaw Tommy John from the mound after only 3 innings of work. John surrendered all 4 runs that Washington scored. Bob Porterfield was masterful tossing a 5 hit shutout in such abysmal conditions. Clyde Volmer went 3 for 4 and hit his second HR of the game, which was a solo shot off John. Wayne Terwilliger went 4 for 4.

TURNING POINT: All the LOB's in game 1. Chicago should have won that game and taken the series if it wasn't for some great Washington fielding and clutch pitching.

SERIES MVP: Porterfield, because he put the hammer down on Chicago and acted like a true stopper/ace. Lesser men might not have pitched through those conditions to carry his team.