Sports History On This Day: August 1

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.”