World Series Game #2

10/19 - Crosley Field - Game #2
White Sox 3, Reds 2
Game 2 was played under more seasonal conditions with the mercury hitting 65 and the winds blowing out at 15 mph.  Chicago chose to start the winless Gary Peters in the hopes that he could finally wind up on the log side of the ledger.  Peters came into the game 0-6 with an ERA in the mid 4's.  His opponent, Paul Derringer, was 5-4 with an ERA in the mid 3's.  Neither pitcher allowed a run over the first 3 frames.  After yesterday's scorefest today looked to be a day for the arms to take control.  the 4th inning would see both teams exchange solo runs.  Tommy McCraw's 1 out solo shot gave the Chisox a short lived 1-0 lead that lasted about half an inning until Kiddo Davis bunted home Billy Myers.  Ival "Goodie" Goodman's 2 out single in the bottom of the 5th easily scored Lew Riggs, who led the inning off with a gaper that turned into a standup double.  Cincy nursed that 2-1 lead until the top of the 7th when with 1 out and runners on 1st & 2nd Riggs booted a sure double play ball that would have ended the inning.  That faux pas enabled Leon Wagner's grounder to second to become a RBI play.  When Ken Berry touched home the score was tied at 2 all.  The 8th inning would see another big  error by the Reds turn into a cheap Chicago run.  With one out Sandy Alomar singled to left only to see Hub Walker misplay the ball just long enough for Alomar to turn 1st aggressively and head to second.  Tommy Davis grounder to first moved Alomar up 90 feet and with 2 out Tommy McCraw slapped an RBI single to left to put the Chisox up 3-2.  After 7 innings of 2 run ball Peters was gone for the day fully expecting to get a no decision.  Hub Walker's error enabled the Chisox to take the lead and give Peters a chance to finally enter the winner's circle.  Don McMahon would take care of the 8th inning allowing only a two out double before getting Walker to ground weakly to short to end the inning.  Hoyt Wilhelm was given the ball to close out the 9th.   After fanning Kiki Cuyler and getting Lew Riggs to ground out to second pinch hitter Phil Weintraub doubled to keep hope alive at Crosley.  Lefty Buck Jordan stepped to the plate and immediately Chicago countered with lefty Wilbur Wood who go Jordan to ground out easily to third to end the game.  Peters would get his first victory lap and Derringer would be the hard luck loser, the victim of his team's inefficiency with the leather.  Both Ken Berry and Lew Riggs each had 3 hits for their respective teams.  Derringer threw only 98 pitches in a heartbreaking complete game effort that deserved more than the fate that he met.
Chicago leads the series 2-0