The major leagues saw all seven scheduled games played on August 12, 1920. The extreme scoring games took place in the Boroughs of New York. The Pirates beat the Giants 2-0 at the Polo grounds at the low end, and the Cubs beat the Dodgers 8-4 at Ebbets Field, both games impacting the NL pennant race.

Irish Meusel of the Phillies takes home best offensive game of the day. He collected two hits, both home runs, and drove in three in the 6-1 defeat of the Cardinals. Meusel wins the honor for the second time. He hit most of the home runs on the day, with only one other player producing a long ball.

That home run belonged to Babe Adams of the Pirates, who also wins best pitched game of the day. Adams allowed two hits and two walks, but did not strike out a batter. The shutout belongs to his fielders as much as to Adams, and it’s his sixth of the season to lead the majors.

Tris Speaker of the Indians goes hitless in four at bats to drop his batting average to .413. It’s his second 0 for 4 in his last three games. George Sisler of the Browns rests with the team, and his .404 BA is now just nine points behind Speaker.

The AL pennant race gets closer at the Yankees beat the Indians 5-1 in Cleveland, and the White Sox down the Senators 7-2 in Chicago. The Yankees go for a sweep in Cleveland tomorrow, but Babe Ruth is playing on a balky knee, hurt the day before. Cleveland leads the White Sox by one game, the Yankees by 1 1/2 games.

The NL lead changes hands as the Reds beat the Braves 6-5 in eleven innings. They move 1/2 game past the Dodgers, and Cincinnati has a three game lead in the loss column. The Giants stand 2 1/2 games back in third place, with the Pirates in fourth place, 5 1/2 games back.

One other note on the sports page indicates the majors are about to appoint a commissioner. The story says it will be a judge, and names Judge McDonald of Chicago. That part of the story would prove incorrect.

In front page news, state and federal authorities arrest Charles Ponzi for his fake investment scheme.