The 1876 Brown Stockings: An Unusually Exciting Contest

The St. Louis Brown Stockings were again defeated by the Bostons, at Grand Avenue Park, yesterday afternoon, the Red Legs, as on Tuesday, outplaying their adversaries at every point, both at the bat and in the field. Morrill played second for the champions, in place of Leonard, Andy having been suddenly called home by the illness of his child. For the Browns Pearce was substituted for Mack at short, and Pike played second in the early part of the game, but was subsequently relieved by McGeary. The attendance was slim, and Mr. Burtis acted as umpire. He had a number of very close points to decide, and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of all. The Bostons again lost the toss, but the lead which they assumed in the third inning they maintained to the end. Brown's batting, and the magnificent way in which he attended to everything at the home plate, and Murnan's first base play were the features of the game...It was an unusually exciting contest throughout.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 7, 1876

It was indeed a rather exciting game. Down 5-3 going into the eighth, the Brown Stockings got within one on Lip Pike's two out triple which drove in Cuthbert. Pike was stranded when Battin grounded out. In the ninth, Bradley singled with one out and then stole second. Dehlman reached on an error, putting the go-ahead run on. Pearce "drove a bounder to right short, which was well fielded by Morrill to Murnan, and, as Bradley endeavored to tie the game on the hit, he was splendidly doubled up by Murnan's throw to Brown, and the home nine was again defeated by one run." That's a 4-3-2 double play to end the game. Can't say that you see that too often.