Erskine tosses complete game shutout - Dodgers cruise

When the Cardinals and Dodgers met for the second series between the two, it would determine who would have the top spot in the league. The Cardinals come into the series with a one game lead over the Dodgers and a lot of confidence.  "Them boys from Brooklyn ain't gonna be able to touch my stuff," said Dizzy Dean, the starter for the first game of the two.

The Dodgers must have heard Dizzy. The Cards were taken care of easily in the top half of the 1st. Brooklyn would hang four on Dizzy Dean and the Cards, putting the game away early.  A walk to Jim Gilliam, and a stolen base, allowed him to score when Jackie Robinson singled to right.  Snider and Campenella would go down quietly but Gil Hodges would keep the inning alive with a double into the right field gap, scoring Robinson. Carl Furillo would then single back up the box while Hodges would trot home.  Cox would single and Pee Wee Reese would add another base hit to bring home Furillo.

Dean showed his frustration with the Dodger hitting in the 1st.  First by throwing his glove into the dugout and then arguing with his shortstop Leo Durocher. Dean would calm down after the 1st, retiring the side in order in the 2nd.  The 3rd would see the Dodgers score again however.  Campenella would single to the right side and Hodges would get his second hit of the day, putting runners at the corners.  Pee Wee would come through with two outs and single up the middle and bring in Campenella.

The five runs would be all Brooklyn would need as Erskine was in top form all day.  Erskine would walk five, including three in one inning to load the bases, but scattered only four hits and St. Louis was unable to capitalize. "Well I got myself in a jam or two there but I trusted my command and my defense behind me and was able to work out of it. It helps when you get good run support like today, no pitcher would complain about five runs in three innings," the smiling Erskine said after the game. Dizzy Dean cooled down and finished the game strong.  Giving up eleven hits and striking out seven.

The loss would create a tie between the two teams at the top of the leaderboard, both teams sitting at 8-3, and set up a game for the lead tomorrow.

WP : Carl Erskine (2-2)
LP : Dizzy Dean (2-1)

Team		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cardinals		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	0
Dodgers		4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		5	11	0