Negro Leagues Game of the Day on This Date in 1928 (June 9th)

Saturday, June 9th – The Memphis Red Sox visit the Detroit Stars at Mack Park. Detroit is on a 7 game NNL winning streak and still has hope of catching St. Louis for the first half pennant. Memphis has signed Heavy Johnson after he was released by Cleveland.

Here are the starting lineups:

Memphis Red Sox (13-14)
1. Henry Harris, SS
2. J.C. McHaskell, 1B
3. Pinky Ward, CF
4. Heavy Johnson, RF
5. Dan Thomas, 2B
6. Bobby Robinson, 3B
7. Wesley Hicks, LF
8. Larry Brown, C
9. Steel Arm Tyler, P

Detroit Stars (20-8)
1. Wade Johnston, LF
2. Halley Harding, SS
3. Turkey Stearnes, CF
4. Ed Rile, 1B
5. Hurley McNair, RF
6. Ted Radcliffe, C
7. Claude Johnson, 3B
8. Grady Orange, 2B
9. Jack Marshall, P

Steel Arm Tyler, only 22-years-old but in his 4th NNL season, pitches for Memphis against 35-year-old Jack Marshall.

Memphis scores a run in the 4th due to an infield error. More errors result in a second Memphis run in the top of the 8th. Steel Arm Tyler makes those runs hold up until the bottom of the 8th. Cristobal Torriente PH for Marshall for the first out, and Johnston is retired for out #2. Halley Harding walks, then Turkey Stearnes doubles to right, scoring Harding.  Ed Rile follows with a single to right, scoring Stearnes.   Carl Glass relieves Tyler and retires Hurley McNair for the 3rd out. The game is tied 2-2 after eight innings.

George Mitchell relieves Marshall, and Mitchell and Glass trade zeroes until the bottom of the 11th. Turkey Stearnes walks to lead off the inning, and Ed Rile hits a long drive off the right field fence for a double, with Turkey Stearns coming all the way around for the winning walk-off run. 3-2 Detroit wins in 11.

NOTES: Pitchers are the stars of the game. George Mitchell pitches 3 perfect innings in relief for the win. Jack Marshall went 8 innings prior, giving up 2 runs (0 earned), 6 hits, 4 walks, and striking out 1. Steal Arm Tyler pitched 7 2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs, only 3 hits, 6 walks, and striking out 3. Ed Rile is the hitting star, going 2-5 with 2 RBI including the walk-off double.

Other NNL Scores:
Kansas City Monarchs-6, Chicago American Giants-2 (Muehlebach Field)
St. Louis Stars-11, Cuban Stars (West)-5 (Stars Park)

Eastern Scores:
Atlantic City Bacharach Giants-12, Hilldale-6 (Hilldale Park)

Mack Park Detroit