June 12, 1922: The Cards String Together 10 Consecutive Hits In Philly

     On June 12, 1922, the Cardinals tied a major league record by picking up 10 consecutive hits during a seven run sixth inning against the Phillies at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. The Birds came into the frame down 6-3, before the hit festival began that ended with them up 10-6. The ten-hit inning was a part of a 23 hit day for the Redbirds, which included a 4 for 4 day by Rogers Hornsby who hit two doubles, stole two bases, scored two runs, walked twice, and hit a home run. Hornsby was also caught stealing three times. I guess he was human. Other offensive stars included shortstop Doc Lavan who went 5 for 5 with a double, a ribbie, and two runs scored, as well as center fielder Jack Smith who went 4 for 6, falling just a home run short of the cycle. If you're a fan that loves offense this would have been the contest for you.

Note: from what I could find, the record for ten consecutive hits was first achieved in 1901 by the Boston Red Sox. It was tied by a handful of teams, which included another Cardinals squad in 2007, until it was finally broken by the Colorado Rockies who strung together 11 in a row in 2011.

Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI192206120.shtml

Retrosheet actually provides a rundown of the entire inning here: http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1922/B06120PHI1922.htm