On this day in 1957 a long road trip continued for the Milwaukee Braves. 8,778 fans came out to Ebbets Field on a Thursday to watch the Braves play the Brooklyn Dodgers in the tenth game of a journey that saw them play 14 games in four ballparks over a span of 13 days.
The small crowd got to see some early fireworks, though, as Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale hit Braves shortstop Johnny Logan with a pitch in the second inning and both players were ejected following the ensuing brawl. The Braves later scored four in the eighth (including a three run home run for catcher Carl Sawatski) to take an 8-4 lead and held on to win 8-5.
The victory improved the Braves to 30-21 on the season and moved them back into first place in the National League for the first time in almost a month. They held the lead for about a week this time, and didn't pick it up for good until August 7.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
-
Jonathan Lucroy, who turns 26. We covered his birthday in this space last year.
- 2002 Brewer Ben Diggins, who turns 33.
- 1984-85 Brewer Bobby Clark, who turns 57.
- Seattle Pilot Billy Williams, who turns 79.