What was the highest-scoring game in MLB history?
Looking back at the highest-scoring game in MLB history, there are some interesting factoids buried within the box score of the Chicago Cubs posting a 26-23 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies on August 25, 1922, at Cubs Park (now known as Wrigley Field) in Chicago.
The highest-scoring game in MLB history was played between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies in 1922
A very up-and-down stretch for the Chicago Cubs
That game was part of an August for the Cubs where Chicago and its opponent would each score 10 or more runs three times in an 11-day span. The Cubs would also be shut out twice during that same period.
Two innings accounted for 24 of 26 runs by the Chicago Cubs
While the Cubs were scoring plenty of runs that month, nothing would compare to the outburst in front of an estimated 7,000 fans on a Friday afternoon on Chicago’s north side. The Cubs scored in just four innings during the game and plated 24 of their 26 runs in just two frames (totaling 10 in the second and 14 in the fourth).
Philadelphia Phillies scored 14 runs in the final two innings
The Philadelphia Phillies were down 26-9 entering the eighth inning, but would score eight times in the eighth and six times in the ninth before the Cubs finally slammed the door on the rally. The bases were loaded for the Phillies when Chicago’s Tiny Osborne struck out Bevo LeBourveau to end the game.
LeBourveau, by the way, would go 3-for-4 after entering the game in the fifth inning.
Chicago Cubs LF Hack Miller lived up to his name
Chicago Cubs left fielder Hack Miller was the star of the show that day, hitting two home runs while going 4-for-5 and knocking in six runs. Shortstop Charlie Hollocher also drove in six runs for the Cubs, going 3-for-5.
The Philadelphia Phillies did not hit a home run despite scoring 23 runs
While Chicago had three homers on the day (two by Miller and one by Bob O’Farrell), none of Philadelphia’s 26 hits left the park. In fact, only six were for extra bases (five doubles and one triple).
Just a pair of Philadelphia Phillies pitchers allowed all 26 runs in MLB’s highest-scoring game
Philadelphia used just two pitchers in the contest, with Jimmy Ring giving up 16 runs on 12 hits in 3.1 innings of work. Lefty Weinert then relieved him and surrendered 10 runs on 13 hits in 4.2 frames.
Chicago, meanwhile, used five pitchers. None of those hurlers escaped without giving up at least two runs.
The highest-scoring game in MLB history took just 3 hours, 1 minute
Despite all of the hits (51 combined) and errors in the game (nine total), the contest still finished in three hours and one minute.
The Cubs and Phillies combined for just three runs a day later
One day after making MLB history with a barrage of offense, the Phillies would get a measure of revenge by beating the Cubs 3-0. The teams combined for just 10 hits.
Next. 30 MLB records that will never be broken. dark
While the game will go down in MLB history, it was part of a miserable 1922 season for both franchises. The Cubs would finish the season with a 64-89 mark while the Phillies would post a 51-103 record.