9. April 13, 1926 – Senators and A’s go 15 innings in 1-0 game
It’s not common today to have a starter even complete 9 innings, and early in the season, most starters aren’t in the type of shape with their arms to go deep into a game, even when they’re performing well. Perhaps the modern era has made this 1926 Opening Day game all the more amazing. Both Senators ace Walter Johnson and Athletics ace Eddie Rommel went all 15 innings.
Many know Johnson’s name and think this game would have been certainly weighted in Johnson’s favor, but certainly it was no more in his favor than any other day, and likely less than most, as Rommel was coming off of a 1925 season where he had led the American League in victories with 21, making an incredible 52 appearances and tossing 261 innings.
Johnson and Rommel matched zeroes for 14 innings, though Rommel’s line was certainly more risky, having walked 6 and allowed 6 hits, only striking out 1 while Johnson breezed through the top of the 15th having allowed six hits and three walks, while striking out 9.
The bottom of the 15th started off innocently, as Rommel got future Hall of Famer Sam Rice to ground out to the first baseman. However, that was the end of the good news on the day for Rommel. He allowed a single to Bucky Harris, a double to Goose Goslin, and then a run-scoring single to Joe Harris to give the Senators the 1-0 victory in one of the best-pitched Opening Day games you’ll ever find.
Next: Three-dinger Day