This Day in D.C. Baseball History – Fornieles gives up one hit in major league debut

September 2, 1952

In the second game of a double header at Griffith Stadium, Washington Senators’ pitcher Mike Fornieles, a 20-year old right hander from Cuba makes his major league debut against the Philadelphia Athletics. The young Fornieles struggled to find his control in the first two innings as he gave up one hit and five walks. Even with the control problems Fornieles was able to get through the first two innings without giving up any runs.

With the Senators leading by the score of 4-0, Fornieles calmed down in the third inning and found his control for the rest of the game as he gave up only one walk and no hits for the remaining seven innings. The Washington Senators added another run and beat the Athletics 5-0 and the young Fornieles earned his first major league victory by pitching a one hit shutout.

Mike Fornieles will only appear in three more games for the Senators in 1952 and is traded to the Chicago White Sox on December 10, 1952 for Chuck Stobbs.