On August 31, 1926, by winning both games of a doubleheader against the Pirates at Sportsman's Park, the Cardinals found themselves sitting in first place. The fans in St. Louis hadn't seen the team capture a pennant since 1888 when they were known as the Browns. The city was buzzing and the ballpark was packed as they had put together a hot month that brought them from fourth place to first place in just 3 weeks. In the first game Wee Willie Sherdel pitched a gem and his offense came through for him as they took the contest 6-1. Sherdel scattered 7 hits throughout, while Les Bell and Chick Hafey both hit home runs in the convincing win for the Birds. Alan Sothoron pitched the second game for the Cards and he held the Pirates to just 3 hits as the team took the tilt 2-1. The Pirates got their run in the fourth on a sacrifice by Kiki Cuyler but couldn't hold on as the Cards plated both of their runs in the seventh with a pair of rbi's by Jim Bottomley and Chick Hafey. Sothorn pitched the Cardinals to just three wins in '26, this by far was his biggest victory as the team made a charge for the National League flag. The next day the team finished the Pirates off with another doubleheader, sweep at the ole ballpark. Those were the last two regular season games played in St. Louis during that '26 season. The club went on a seven city road trip to finish off the campaign and it was a battle to the finish line, the Cardinals finished just two games ahead of the Reds to take home their first pennant in 38 years before winning their first World Title.Check out the box scores
First Game: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN192608311.shtml
Second Game: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN192608312.shtml
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