Yesterday, July 16, 2021, The San Diego Padres bashed the Washington Nationals 24-8 in Washington D.C. That set me to thinking about high-scoring contests – and led me to seek out information on the highest-scoring game in MLB history.
Turns out, the highest-scoring game in the modern era (post-1901) took place on August 25, 1922 – as the Cubs topped the Phillies 26-23 at Wrigley Field (not so “friendly confines” for pitchers that day). In the game, the teams combined for a modern-era record 51 base hits.
A few quirky tidbits:
- The Phillies tallied there 23 runs without the benefit of a single home run – the Cubs had three long balls.
- The Cubs jumped out to a 25-6 lead after just four innings, but had to hold on for the 26-23 win.
- In addition to the 51 hits, the game “featured” 21 walks and one hit batsman.
- The teams scored 49 runs, but still managed to leave 25 runners on base.
- The Phillies went 15-for-31 with runners in scoring, position; the Cubs 14-for-24 for a combined average with RISP of .527.
Phillies’ starting pitcher Jimmy Ring gave up 16 runs (12 earned) in 3 1/3 innings for the loss; Cubs’ starter Tony Kaufmann was awarded the win, despite giving up six runs (three earned) in four innings.
- The Phillies used just two pitchers, the Cubs five.
- The two teams sent 125 batters to the plate – and only nine struck out.
- The teams scored a combined 23 two-out runs (12 Cubs, 11 Phillies).
- The game took only three hours and one minute.
- There were nine errors and 21 of the 49 runs were unearned.
- Two Cubs – SS Charlie Hollocher and LF Hack Miller each drove in six tallies.
That Was Fun, Let’s Do It Again Someday
Notably, 57 seasons later – on May 17, 1979 – the Phillies were again matched against the Cubs at Wrigley Field and the two teams produced the second-highest scoring game (and second-most hits) in modern MLB history. This time, the Cubs lost to the Phillies 23-22 in ten innings.
For comparison:
- The two teams hit a combined eleven home home runs (six for the Cubs, five for the Phillies) – with Dave Kingman hitting three for the Cubs and Mike Schmidt poling two for the Phillies.
- The Phillies led 15-6 after three innings, still ended up facing extra-innings.
- The game featured 50 hits, ten walks and one hit batter.
- The teams scored 45 runs, leavings 22 runners on base.
This game looked like a slugfest from the start. Cubs’ starter Denis Lamp retired only one batter – giving up six earned runs. Phillies’ starter Randy Lerch likewise lasted only one-third inning – giving up five earned. At the end of the first frame, it was Phillies 7 – Cubs 6.
- The Phillies were ten-for-25 with runners in scoring positions (.400), the cubs were seven-for-19 (.368).
- The teams used 11 pitchers (Cubs-six … Phillies-five).
- 127 batters came to the plate, only 11 fanned. Cubs’ batters struck out just four times in 59 plate appearances.
- The Cubs scored ten two-out runs, the Phillies six.
- Game time was four hours and three minutes.
- There were four errors and five unearned runs.
- The Phillies had four players with at least four RBI: Four each for Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Garry Maddox. Five RBI for Bob Boone.
- Bill Buckner drove in seven for the Cubs. Dave Kingman plated six.
- Rawley Eastwick pitched a scoreless ninth and tenth for the win. Bruce Sutter pitched the ninth and tenth for the Cubs and gave up a solo home run to Mike Schmidt for the loss.
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com.
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST
Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. To see the full list, click here.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
