Series 12: Rams take two of three from Orators

Orators 18-18, Rams 17-19

Game One: Orators 10, Rams 6
WP: Jenkins (6-3)
LP: Ruffing (3-5)
HR: Ruffing 2 (2), Reese 2 (2), T Jackson (3)

Game Two: Rams 12, Orators 3
WP: Collins (2-3)
LP: Shocker (3-3)
HR: T Jackson (4), O'Rourke (5)

Game Three: Rams 8, Orators 7
WP: S Johnson (1-0)
LP: Vangilder (1-1)
HR: H Wilson (10), Combs (1)

The visiting Orators got off to a big start in Raymond, with the first six hitters of the series either getting a single or drawing a walk in a five-run first inning. Losing pitcher Red Ruffing hit a pair of solo homers for the Rams. Ortonville's Pee Wee Resse hit a pair as well, the second a back-to-back pair with Travis Jackson. Fergie Jenkins went eight innings for the win, allowing three runs on eight hits. Billy Herman went 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

The Rams retaliated against Urban Shocker in the second game, plating one in the first, two in the second and three in the third. Raymond hit four triples in the contest, one each from Earle Combs, Joe Sewell, Nellie Fox and pinch-hitter Lu Blue. Sewell, 4-for-4 with a walk, scored three runs. Hck Wilson drove in three runs. Rip Collins allowed five hits in seven innings; one of those hits was a two-run homer by Jackson.

Wilson hit a two-run walk-off homer off Elam Vangilder to cap a six-run rally in the finale. Ortonville scored the first six runs of the game, with a four-run fifth aided by a Wilson error in center field. Dixie Davis allowed just five hits in seven innings, including a two-run homer by Combs, before turning a 7-2 lead over to Hub Pruett, who eased through the eighth inning. But after Pruett got the first hitter in the ninth, he allowed three straight singles to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Bob Fothergill tripled to make the scored 7-5. Pruett got Combs to pop up. but Sewell singled in Fothergill, With the tying run on first and two out, Vangilder entered to be victimized by Wilson.

Pitcher availability: Syl Johnson went two innings in the finale for the Rams. Pruett should be regarded as having worked two innings for the Orators. All other relievers should be regarded as fully rested.

Projected starters: Orators -- Sutton-Jenkins-Wingard-Shocker-Sutton-Jenkins-Davis. Rams: Perry-Ruffing-Whitehill-Collins-Perry-Ruffing-Holloway.