May 30, 1931: The Birds Move Into First Place and Don't Look Back

     On May 30, 1931, the Cardinals claimed sole possession of first place by knocking off the Cincinnati Reds in both ends of a doubleheader. The Birds took the first contest by the score of 12-4, behind the solid pitching of Jesse Haines, and a 15 hit offensive attack. The Cardinals hurler start was a rocky one, as he surrendered four runs in the first frame, before posting zeroes all the way across the board the rest of the way. The offensive attack was highlighted by George Watkins, who smacked 2 home runs, which added up to four ribbies on the day.The Birds took the second tilt by scoring five runs in the seventh inning that quickly erased a 4-0 Cincinnati lead. Ripper Collins led the way in that one with a double that scored three runs.

     The Cardinals had entered the day in a virtual tie with the New York Giants, who were beaten in both ends of a doubleheader in Brooklyn. The Cardinals retained first place from that day on as they made a charge toward their second World Series title. The club finished with a 101-53 record, which made them the first Cardinals squad to win at least 100 games. By season's end they were 13 games ahead of the Giants and would go onto meet Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's in the Fall Classic, and a classic it was, as it went the full seven games before the Cardinals were crowned champions.

Check out the box scores here:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193105301.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193105302.shtml