All nine scheduled games saw action on August 15, 1920, including two doubleheaders. The Cubs shutout the Reds for the second day in a row, the 1-0 game the lowest scoring one of the day. At the high end, the Braves beat the Giants 8-7 in eleven innings. That was the first game of the doubleheader, leading to a seven inning second game which ended due to darkness. The Giants win 4-1.
Ray Powell of the Braves posts the best offensive game of the day in game one of the above double header. He goes three for six with a home run and three RBI. It was a rare good day at the plate for Powell in 1920. It was his worst season on offense as he slashed .225/.282/.314, but still managed to accumulate 666 PA serving as the lead-off hitter. In subsequent years he would do a great job of getting on base. In 1921, he would lead the NL in plate appearances, triples, and strikeouts.
Lefty Tyler of the Cubs and Bob Clark of the Indians pitched nearly identical games as they tie with game scores of 77 for best pitched game of the day. Each pitched a four-hit shutout, Tyler walking four and striking out two, while Clark, pitching against the Browns, walked out three and struck out one.
The news story of the Indians game describes Clark as a recruit, meaning he was a rookie probably picked out of the minors. Clark pitched okay in 1920, posting a 3.43 ERA in 42 innings, but got knocked around in 9 1/3 innings in 1921 and never pitched in the majors again. This shutout would be his only win.
Tris Speaker of the Indians goes one for four in that game, lowering his AL leading BA to .404. The pursing him for the crown, George Sisler, was in the other dugout and also goes one for four to put his batting average at .401.
The White Sox beat the Tigers 10-3 to keep pace with the Indians, but the Senators beat the Yankees 6-4. That puts Cleveland in first place, percentage points ahead of Chicago as Cleveland has two fewer losses. The Yankees sit 1/2 game back of the Indians but down three in the loss column. The Yankees and the Indians begin a fateful series tomorrow.
In the NL pennant race, the Dodgers beat the Phillies 6-5 in twelve innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the twelfth, Dodgers centerfielder Hi Myers hits a grounder to short. The throw comes home to get the runner from third, but Phillies catcher Mack Wheat throws the ball away as he tries for the double play at first. The Dodgers score and win the game. With the Reds losing and the Giants splitting, Brooklyn holds a one-game lead over the Reds and a 2 1/2 game lead over the Giants.