June 2, 1926: The Birds Hand The Cubs a Crushing Defeat In Wrigleyville

     On June 2, 1926, the Cardinals handed the Cubs a 14-6 defeat at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Rogers Hornsby led the way in the 15 hit attack that was unleashed with a 2 for 4 day that included a home run, and five RBIs. Hornsby also walked in the contest, and crossed the dish three times before the game was put in the books. The Cardinals victimized a trio of Cubs pitchers, which included starter George Milstead, and relievers Sheriff Blake, and Johnny Welch. The boys who wore the Birds on the Bat came into that contest seven games out of first place, and were ranked fifth in the division. With the help of some losses within the division, the club jumped up to just 4 1/2 games out the next day by blanking the Phillies 4-0. The team moved up and down in the standings following that day, getting as close as a half game, while never falling more than five games out. They fought, battled, and clawed their way into a first place tie on August 19th, and took over first place the next day for the first time since the sixth game of the season. This was 118 games into the 154 game schedule. The team had heated up when it mattered the most as they posted a 36-19 record over their last two months of the season as they made their charge toward the National League Pennant, and an eventual World Series Crown.

Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN192606020.shtml