This Date in Washington Senators History – Grob gets win, despite not officially facing a batter

July 13 1909 – For the third day in a row, the Nationals fail to score. The Nats are whitewashed at Detroit, 3-0. 1916 – Detroit’s Bill James strikes out 7 straight batters in the Tigers 3-1 win at Washington. 1918 – In D.C., Harry Heilmann’s 1st inning, RBI bloop single is the contest’s lone …

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Tearing Down the Chicken Wire

May 3, 1949 The Senators (3-11) arrive in Chicago (8-5) for a short two game series with the White Sox. The team is looking to snap a two game slide. In baseball, as in life, timing is everything. Before the 1949 season started the White Sox General Manager Frank Lane had a chicken-wire fence installed …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – Washington outguns John McGraw’s Orioles, 14-12

July 12 1901 – For the first time in 10 days, the Nationals win a game, halting an 8 game losing skid. At Oriole Park in Baltimore, Washington outguns John McGraw‘s Orioles, 14-12. 1962 – Both the Senators and Twins score all their runs via the long ball. Back to back home runs from Jim …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – 1927 Senators complete 6 game sweep of the Tribe

July 11 1918 – Detroit proves that Walter Johnson is mortal by plating 8 runs in the final 3 innings for an 8-6, come from behind, victory in Washington. Ty Cobb knocks in a run and scores twice, as the Big Train fumbles a 6-0 cushion. 1925 – New Nat reliever Spencer Pumpelly becomes a …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – Senators’ Milt Gaston pitches 14 hit shutout

July 10 1926 – In a 19-4 home blowout of the Browns, Washington sets a ML record when 13 different Nats score a run. P Stan Coveleski collects the easy win. 1928 – Senator P Milt Gaston pitches a 14 hit, 9-0 shutout of Cleveland in game two of a twin-bill, thus establishing an AL …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – 1930 Senators win 10th in a row

July 9 1903 – The hometown Nats, one week after Ed Delahanty‘s death, roll Detroit, 17-4. The 17 runs represents the highest offensive output of the year. 1920 – Cleveland scores 4 in the top of the 7th and 4 in the 8th to overcome a 4-0 hole to win, 8-4. Jim Bagby of the …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – 1930 Nats climb into a 1st place tie

1930 – Defying preseason predictions of a 7th place finish in the AL standings, the Nats climb into a 1st place tie with a 6-5 defeat of host Boston. It is the Sens 9th straight victory and reliever Firpo Marberry‘s 3rd win during this winning streak.

Mickey Vernon’s MLB Debut

James Barton “Mickey” Vernon who was born on April 22, 1918 in Marcus Hook, PA, made his Major League and Washington Senator debut on July 8, 1939. In his first game Vernon went 1 for 5 at the plate and played first base as the Senators beat the Philadelphia Athletics 6-3. During the rest of …

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Orth’s odd play helps the Senators beat Indians

July 7, 1903. In the 5th inning, Senators’ pitcher Al Orth was at third base after a triple to center field. Washington’s Charlie Moran hit a line drive that was caught by Cleveland first baseman Charlie “Piano Legs” Hickman. Unfortunately, Orth was halfway toward home and Hickman threw behind the runner. Unfortunately for Hickman, his throw …

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This Date in Washington Senators History – ’27 Senators reacquire Tom Zachary

1927 – The Senators reacquire lefty P Tom Zachary from the Browns for P Alvin “General” Crowder. Zachary was
originally dealt to the Browns in February of 1926 for “Bullet” Joe Bush and Jack Tobin in one of Washington’s worse trades in franchise history.