Mordecai Brown by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Mordecai Brown

Page 70

Cubs third baseman Harry Steinfeldt ranged far to his left to spear a sharp grounder from Mathewson and throw him out, which veteran “Boston Globe” sportswriter Tim Murnane called “the best play of the game.”

The Giants finally mounted a threat in the seventh. Devlin started it with a long single to left, and Harry “Moose” McCormick came through with a single to right, “just outside of Evers’ reach,” sending Devlin to second. When Bridwell walked, loading the bases, it looked as if Brown had “lost his bearings,” and the noise from cheering fans was deafening.

McGraw sent “Laughing Larry” Doyle in to pinch-hit for Mathewson, but he was an easy out, on a foul pop up to Kling. Tenney then flied to right, and Devlin scored. It was now 4-2, and the fans were on their feet, but their hopes for a big inning were crushed when Brown allowed no further scoring. The inning ended with Herzog hitting a grounder to short. Tinker juggled it but recovered in time to throw him out.

George “Hooks” Wiltse replaced Mathewson in the eighth and allowed no further runs, but the big story was Brown’s outstanding work. He held the Giants in check for 8 1/3 innings, allowing just 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run; pitching “dependable and steady” ball. Manager McGraw could only watch in frustration