The record-union., 1891-03-23
OAKLAND WON.
But Manager Robinson Thinks He
Had a Close Call.
He Wants South-paw Twirler for
Sacramento's Left-handed
Team of Batters.

To stranger, it would have been diff
cult to tell yesterday which of the two
clubs that played ball at Snowflake Park
was the home team, if he attempted to
distinguish by the applause bestowed by
the audience. People attend ball games
nowadays more for the purpose of see
ing a good exhibition of the sport than
for anything else.
There was time in Sacramento when
the patrons of the game went out simply
to yell and screech for their own nine.
This was when there was local pride and
general wish that the home club would
win, no matter how many errors and
bad plays it made.
The players in those days were all Sac
ramento boys, and about two-thirds of
the audience knew them well enough
to call them by their first names. But
revolution has taken place within the last
six years, and the baseball patron goes
out to see strange players engaged to rep
resent his city, contesting with strangers
from another place. Naturally he begins
to lose the interest he once had, and
finally finds himself attending for no
other reason than to see brilliant playing
and first-class exhibition of the national
game.
Nearly five thousand people were
crowded into the ball park yesterday
afternoon and the stands were black with
spectators. The Hussar Band first es-
corted the Oakland Club to the diamond.
and then repaired to the dressing-room
In the corner Of the grounds and led the
SacramentoS to their bench. The crowd
cheered Justify as each club made its ap-
pearance. The visitors We're attired in
their last years suits Of gray and black,
and McCloskey's men wore uniforms of
white flannel, with red trimmings, stock
ings and caps.
The game demonstrated one thing-that
neither club is Ito use baseball express
SION 'speedier" than those of last year.
The present Sacramento nine will un-
doubtedly prove to be a stronger batting
team than last years, but the men are
not as light on their feet, nor as good
fielders nor baserunners as were the
players of the club of'90 Of course there
are some exceptions. Oakland has rat
ting good nine of ball players, though
two or three of them show signs of being
weak batters.
Reitz, the little player whom none of
the managers seem to want, and who was
only allowed to play with Oakland be-
cause one OF the clubs members were i'll,
can justly claim the honor of winning for
Colonel Robinson the first game of the
season. And how the people did applaud
when he sent out three-bagger into
right field. 1t was just when Oakland
wanted hit, for there were three men on
bases, and the score was to | i'll favor of
the Sacramentos. His hit scored three
runs and won the game for the visitors.
The Senators came to the bat in the
first inning and started in to hit the ball
with such ease that people began to think
the Oakland pitcher could not get the
ball out OF the way OF the bat Ward went
70 ret ~ hai il- md l. -
by Sunday advanced him to second. Nc
Guirk smashed the ball into left field.
and Ward scored, making a pretty slide
to the plate.
Hustin let four balls go by, and took
first, and two-base hit by Hutchinson
brought McGuirk home McCloskey
drove liner at ONeil, who caught it,
and touching third base. completed
double-play unassisted.
The next six innings, to the surprise of
every one, the Sacramentos could not
not make a run, but in their eighth turn
to bat Hoover drove the ball over the
right field fence and scored
When the Oaklands took their turn at
the bat in the eighth inning the score
stood to l in favor of the Senators. and
it was generally conceded that the game
would be won "hands DOWN. by the
home club. y fatal change was made,
however, in the pitchers box, and the
y
Hoffman had been pitching strong
game for the Sacramentos, but was being
touched pretty lively toward the end Of
the contest and McCloskey concluded to
put Hustin in the box. If was then that
the fireworks began.
McQuaid lined the ball into right field
and Lohman flew to Sunday, Hines
drove out hit, and Youngman followed
with another. The bases were thus filled,
and Reitz' turn came to bat. After one
strike had been called on him he caught
one of Hustin's low curves and sent the
ball sailing out between right and center
held. Three men scored and the batter
reached third base. The crowd went
wild with excitement, and it was fully
five minutes before the applause ceased.
The Sacramentos were unable 10 do
anything in the ninth inning, and the
game went to Oakland by a score of 4 to 3.
DOnahue umpired an excellent game
and though his decisions were disputed
once or twice he had the right ON his
side.
Colonel Robinson was jubilant last
evening over his victory, but the only
claim he made was that it was lust my
luck"
''I tell you," said the Colonel, ''I made
our boys wear the old uniforms just for
luck. In the last three seasons I have
played the first game with the Sacra-
mentos and have always won it. But 1
never expect to win again. None OF us
will be in it with this team of Sacra-
mentos if we don't strengthen our mines.
I've got to have a left-handed pitcher to
play against those men if it costs me a
thousand dollars to get him here Nc
Closkey has the strongest nine that ever
played in this State, and it could hold its
own right now in the American Associa-
ton. San Jose viii be nowhere with his
club, and | don't expect to, either, unless
] strengthen some parts of my team"
Some brilliant catches were made in
the game, especially by McCloskey, Hus-
tin and Hines. Following is the score:
sACRAMENToS. ABB. r.. B.H. s.B. p.o. A. E.
Ward, I'd D.. l o o