The story of the Yankees’ dominant doubleheader wins against the Athletics in 1930

In June of 1930, the Yankees set a team record for most consecutive games with 10+ runs with five. The previous record of four had been set earlier that season. The way the Yankees had done it the first time was quite a feat.

After dropping both games of a doubleheader on May 21, 1930, the Yankees played the Philadelphia Athletics in another doubleheader the following day. In the first game, the Yankees tagged Philadelphia starter Howard Ehmke for five runs in two innings and chased him from the game.

Philadelphia brought in reliever Eddie Rommel for Ehmke. He gave up another three runs in two innings. That would not be the last time Rommel was heard from that day.

The Yankees ended up winning the first game of the doubleheader 10-1. Lou Gehrig went 4-5. Babe Ruth went 3-5 and drove in three runs. Yankees’ starting pitcher George Pipgeas even got in on the offense, hitting a home run.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Yankees scored seven runs in the top of the first inning. Athletics’ starter Jack Quinn would not record an out in the game. He is credited with allowing six earned runs, most coming on a grand slam by Gehrig.

The Yankees’ offense was not even remotely close to done there. They scored three runs off Jack Quinn. Rommel made his second appearance of the day, and he actually improved on his performance. In the second game, he allowed just two runs in two innings.

In total, the Yankees scored 20 runs in the second game on May 22nd. Meanwhile, Philadelphia scored 13 runs of their own. In the sixth inning, they had managed to tie the game at 12. It’s just that their relievers allowed eight runs in the next three innings, while Yankees’ reliever Roy Sherid allowed just one after that.

Two days later, the Yankees returned home and played another doubleheader. Their opponent was once again the Philadelphia Athletics.

Jack Quinn, who had pitched two days earlier in the second game on May 22nd, got the start in the first game on May 24th. He managed to last longer than either Athletics’ starter on May 22nd, going four innings. However, he allowed eight runs in the process. Athletics’ reliever Bill Shores gave up another two runs, and the Yankees eventually won 10-6.

In the second game on May 24th, Philadelphia sent Rube Walberg to the mound. The Athletics gave Walberg a 1-0 lead to work with before he even threw a pitch. However, Walberg would also give up eight runs in four innings.

Rommel was brought in for Walberg, and improved (ERA-wise technically) once again. This time he allowed three runs in four innings. Red Ruffing did not allow another run after the first, and the Yankees won 11-1.

The Yankees swept two doubleheaders against the Athletics on May 22nd and 24th of 1930. They won the games by a combined score of 51-21. The 13 runs Philadelphia scored in the second game on May 22nd would have been enough to win any of the other three games in this span. Just not the one they did it in.

Sources

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA193005221.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA193005222.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193005241.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193005242.shtml