August 1, 1918 – Back in the day MLB teams knew how to play defense. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves on this day played an MLB record of 20 scoreless innings! The previous record of 18 scoreless frames was surpassed as neither team in the field would give an inch.
Art Nehf went the entire distance on the mound for the Braves before Max Carey singled to left field to score Wilbur Cooper and moved the scoreboard numbers. Another single by Billy Southworth scored Tommy Leach later in the 21st and provided the Pirates win, 2-0 in the extended ball game. Erskine Mayer and Wilbur Cooper provided the strong pitching for the Buccos with the Coop earning the “W.”
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Exploring the Career of Hall of Fame Offensive Guard Larry Little
As many of you may know, I recently wrote a book about Miami Dolphins

Some of the Most Iconic Soccer Rivalries and the Stories Behind Them
Soccer is more than a game. It’s passion, pride, and pure obsession. Across the

“Dem Bums” No More: The Story of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers
From 1939 to 1954, the Brooklyn Dodgers had only one losing season and won

From Card Tables to Championships: The Lasting Influence of Casinos on Sports History
Casinos have been complex and fascinating actors in sports culture history. From sponsoring high-profile

How Sports Venues Inspired Modern Restaurant Furniture Throughout History
Not many people are aware of the close connection between the design of modern

The Digital Spectator: How Global Broadcast Technology Transformed Indigenous Sports into World-Class Commodities
The 1964 Tokyo Olympics changed Judo, but not because of medals. The Olympics were

Remembering the 1972 Cleveland Browns
How many NFL teams during the 1970s do you remember that lost all six

How the 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes Stack Up to Historic Teams
Few programs in college football carry the kind of gritty tradition that Iowa does.