Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-30
A CREDITABLE VICTORY.
The Nationals Defeat the PHILADELPHIA
Ball Team in Fine Style.


OPENING OF THE LEAGUE BASE BALL SEASON.
Yesterday was a great day for the Nationals
In the opening game OF the league season they
defeated the strong team from Philadelphia by
a score of q to 3, and earned their victory by
careful, steady playing in the face of discour-
aging circumstances. The home team were first
at the bat, and were retired without q score,
although lucky Phil. Baker nearly reached the
home plate. The hopes Of the audience, which
had been yaised by the free hitting of the Ma
tionals, were dashed to the ground by the way
the visitors started. Andrew, the center fielder,
stepped up to the plate and sent the call to the
FsnI heid fence for three bases n He had
Wood, the big left-handed lett fielder,
sailed the bail over the right field
no body out. Even the Nationals most enthu-
sias.ic admirers began to fear for the result for
would be unable to rally and would go to pieces
On the contrary, they settled down to business
and played a magnificent up hill game. that
had punished Shaw, but such work was
stopped right there. The wizard began hitch
ike Hs Was his mee
his agile little partner behind the bat supported
him magnificently: The third man struck out,
sroited tue to 0d his base sas on 6a H Sa and
throw from right field which almost caught
him at the home plate, but the score stood
three to nothing. Not another run We're the
visitors permitted to make during the game.
one, two, three order Shaw warmed up to his
work and pitched better as the game pro-
crossed. In the fifth inning he pitched but live
were retired on the first ball delivered to them.
At one time the visitors got a man as far as
throw to second md, but like lash
sent the ball TO third, putting the third man
out on the trick that the Philadelphias
had tried In vain to play on the Nationals. Be-
sides fielding well, the Nationals showed from
the start that they could hit the ball. In the
second inning they scored two earned runs on
hits by Hines and Gillgan and q beautiful
three Dagger by GladmOn to the lett-center
fence. The situation frightened and the in
were made until the favorite seventh inning.
Carroll, who had been batting both right and
LEFT handed in hopes of placing the ball where
he wanted made a cracking hit In this inning
toright field FOgarty jumped for it and almost
caught 1T in one hand, but Carroll got To second.
Lucky Baker sent grounder to short, which
was cleverly stopped by Irwin, but he threw
high, and Baker touched the first bag while the
first baseman was in the air. Knowles was sent
Crane then sent hot one that bounded over
the short stops head, and both Carroll and
baker crossed the home-plate Force batted
home. The score was i've to three,
and the boys were confident. In the
ninth inning they added another run, and
left the 1ield in the happiest frame of mind
Imaginable. They had earned three runs of
their six. and had shown the Philadelphias.
who anticipated Il walkover, that they could
play ball, even under adverse circumstances.
Foo much praise cannot be given the prize bat
terry. shaw and Gilligan, but the whole nine
played together with a vim and determination
that was pleasant to see. The same clubs play
again to-day. Barr and Baker will be the bat
terry OF the Nationals.
OTHER GAMES YESTERDAY.
Nearly $4,000 people witnessed the game in
New York yesterday between the New YOrks
and BostOns. 1t took eleven innings to decide
the game, which was won by the New Yorks
by a score OF 5 to 4.
In st. Louis yesterday the DetrOits won the
game from the ST. Louis team by q score OF 9 to
z. The visitors played an almost taultless
game and batted very heavily.
The Chicago and Kansas City clubs did not
play on account of rain.
At Observation-Disclosures Ii, Brooklyn 8. AT
Philadelphia-Athletic 8, Metropolitan g. AT
Observation-Disclosures A, st. Louis ..