JACKSON, MISS. - Clearly, a trend seems to be developing in this inaugural 1928 DBS World Series. With the Series tied at two games apiece, even
the most casual fan can see the growing consistencies so far. When the Sahara Jihad have notched victories, they have done so in low-scoring
defensive struggles. When the Mississippi Misfits win, as they did by an 8-2 score in Game 4, they do so by basically pummeling you to death.
The Misfits rode the bat of shortstop Jackie Tavener, who hit his second home run of the Series, and drove in 4 runs. They rode the arm of Carmen
Hill, who again turned in a strong outing, firing a complete game six hitter. And they rode the guile of gutsy veterans such as George Sisler, who
had four hits, and Goose Goslin, who had three.
The pregame festivities were highlighted by new twist. Mr. Irving Berlin, on had to perform the nation anthem, and Johnny Weissmuller, were
delivered to the pitcher's mound from center field in a new automobile from the Chrysler Corporation. The car, known as the DeSoto, will be
formally introduced to the public later this month. Weissmuller followed the national anthem with the ceremonial first pitch. Mr. Weissmuller
who retired from competitive swimming at the ripe old age of 25, was a huge crowd favorite in Jackson, and received one of the loudest ovations
of the night.
Mississippi starter Carmen Hill began the game with a vengeance, trying to make up for his gutsy, yet heart-wrenching loss in Game 1. Hill started
quickly retiring the first nine men he faced in order. Jihad starter Herb Pennock, however, was not as sharp. Although he got through the first
five innings without any damage to the scoreboard, the Misfits batsmen consistently managed to put runners into scoring position and hit several
very loud outs.
Sahara drew first blood in the top of the fourth inning when Jim Bottomley, who only had one hit in the Series, hit a 2-2 off-speed pitch over the
wall in center for a 2-0 Jihad lead. Sam Rice, who reached base on a fielder's choice, scored ahead of Bottomley who was visibly relieved to have
finally gotten another big hit in the Series. The same, however, cannot be said for Rice. The poor outfielder has yet to get a hit in the Series.
Pennock was able to escape trouble in the bottom of the inning. After leadoff man Goose Goslin doubled, Hack Wilson singled, moving Goslin to
third. However, Goslin was stranded at third when the next three Misfits went down without moving Goose across the dish.
Things fell the way of the Misfits in the bottom of the sixth when they sent ten men to the plate, had six hits, scored five runs, and benefited
from another crucial Jihad error, this time by Sahara shortstop Joe Boley. With one out and a runner on first and second, Boley's relay throw from
the outfield allowed the runners to move to up a base. From that point, Mississippi scored 5 runs, highlighted by a two run double by Riggs Stephenson,
and Tavener's two run shot. Tavener's second home run equaled his output for the entire regular season, and his 4 RBI in a game where also a
season high. Amazingly, Jihad starter and loser Herb Pennock suffered through this beating without a single visit to the mound by his manager or
pitching coach. Ironically, Goose Goslin, who had three hits in the game, started and ended the inning with a ground out to second base.
Tavener continued to be hot the next inning. With two out and runners at the corners, the Jihad disdained the intentional walk and pitch to Carmen
Hill who has not hit a ball out of the infield all Series. Tavener made the Jihad pay for this decision by hitting a bases clearing double down
the left field line scoring Wilson who started the inning with a double, and Stephenson. True to form, Hill grounded out to end the inning on the
very next pitch.
The Misfits added their eighth and final run in the eighth inning when Goose Goslin doubled to score Freddie Lindstrom, who had singled. Goslin got
his third hit of the game off of Jihad reliever Larry Benton, who had relieved an exhausted Pennock.
Carmen Hill however, was not in the game for his hitting prowess. After Bottomley's homer, only one runner reached scoring position and that was
in the ninth when the game's outcome was certain. Hill also achieved a rarity, by pitching a complete game with no walks and no strikeouts.
SAHARA AB R H RBI MISSISSIPPI AB R H RBI
Kamm, 3b 4 0 1 0 Sisler, 1b 5 0 4 0
S.Rice, rf 4 1 0 0 Lindstrom, 3b 5 1 2 0
Hafey, lf 4 0 1 0 Goslin, rf 5 0 3 1
Bottomley, 1b 4 1 1 2 H.Wilson, cf 5 2 2 0
Herman, cf 4 0 2 0 Hartnett, c 3 1 1 0
Brannan, 2b 3 0 0 0 Frisch, 2b 5 1 1 1
Taitt, ph 1 0 0 0 Stephenson, lf 4 2 1 2
Boley, ss 3 0 0 0 Tavener, ss 4 1 2 4
Ruel, c 3 0 0 0 Hill, p 4 0 0 0
Pennock, p 2 0 0 0
McGowan, ph 1 0 1 0
Benton, p 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 33 2 6 2 TOTAL 40 8 16 8
SAHARA 000 200 000 - 2 6 1
MISSISSIPPI 000 005 21x - 8 16 0
E: Boley
DP: Sahara 1 LOB: Mississippi 10, Sahara 4.
2B: Sisler 2, Lindstrom, Goslin 2, Stephenson, Tavener, Herman.
HR: Bottomley (1), Tavener (2).
BB: Hartnett 2.
SO: Hill.
SAHARA IP H R ER BB SO
Pennock (L 0-1) 7 13 7 5 2 1
Benton 1 3 1 1 0 0
MISSISSIPPI IP H R ER BB SO
Hill (W 1-1) 9 6 2 2 0 0
Umpires: Home, McGowen; 1b, Owen; 2b, McCormick; 3b; Klem; lf; Wilson; rf; Nallin;
T: 2:44 A: 60,539