The majors see all nine scheduled games played on August 23, 1920, including two doubleheaders. On a rather low scoring day, three games produce just three runs. The Indians beat the Red Sox 2-1 in game one of their double header in Boston. The Athletics beat the Browns by the same score in the first game of their doubleheader in Philadelphia. The Dodgers beat the Pirates 3-0 in Pittsburgh. At the high end, the Giants defat the Cardinals 10-3 in St. Louis.
Del Pratt of the Yankees takes home best offensive game of the day in New York’s 10-0 win over Detroit. Pratt posts a five for five day with a double, home run, and seven RBI. Pratt was a bit of an iron man, leading the league in games played. This would be his fifth and final time to accomplish that feat. He also posted steady high WARs usually between three and five. The second baseman did not get along with Yankees manager Miller Huggins, however, and wound up traded to Boston after the 1920 season.
Note that Carl Mays did start this game, one week after throwing the pitch that killed Ray Chapman. He scattered ten hits, and according to the news story, twice shouted, “Look out!” when a pitch got away from him.
On the pitching side, Urban Shocker of the Browns takes home best pitched game of the day again. He allows just four hits and an unearned run as St. Louis takes game two 5-1. He also walked one and struck out five. That just beats out Jeff Pfeffer of the Dodgers, who threw a four-hit shutout, but only struck out two.
George Sisler of the Browns goes two for eight on the day, his batting average dropping to .405. Tris Speaker of the Indians, however, goes 0 for 3 and falls under .400 to .397. The last day he finished a day under .400 was July 6th.
The first place White Sox have the day off in the AL pennant race. The Indians split their double header to stay two games back. The Yankees win moves them three games back, but four down in the loss column.
In the NL pennant race, the Reds, Dodgers, and Giants all win. The Reds remain in first place percentage points ahead of the Dodgers, with the Giants two games back.