Evening star., 1896-08-22
HAVE DoWNED THE HOODOO.

Senators Abandon the Chute and Dis
appoint Tebeau's Men.
Spread the glad tidings-the hoodoo is
broken. The Washington Base Ball Club
yesterday won one Of the prettiest and
closest games Of the season by making a
grand stand finish that was a reminder Of
last spring. And 1t will also pass into his
tory as the date of the reincarnation Of
Pitcher Mercer. Win twirled in his old
time form, holding the Spiders down to five
hits, three Of them being due to luck, pure
and simple He also fielded his position
well, and was quite lively on the coach
lines. The return of their favorite to his
natural condition caused the hearts Of the
dear girls-it was ladies' day-to thump
almost loud enough to be heard. and there
were many happy creatures among the
throng that filed out Of the grounds after
the game. But. speaking of hits, 1t should
not be overlooked that Mr.. Wilson of
Cleveland put 'em over in such way that
but four Senators could tap the sphere
safely. and they for but one each. In the
eighth. however. Washington began to wax
familiar with the young man, and Capt
Tebeau very wisely directed him to take a
seat and brought Wallace to the fore. But
1t was too late.
For a long time it looked very much as
though the game would go on into dark
ness without a runner crossing the plate
In the third inning Jesse Burkett made the
first hit for Cleveland. a two-bagger but
ne ADVANCED no 1urtner. Inc spiders Qid
not again connect safely with the ball un-
til the sixth. when their only run was
scored. Burkett was thrown out by Smith,
but Mexican hit to center and reached sec
ond, when Childs was retired at first. Mer-
Ger 10 Cartwright. McAleer was equal to
the emergency. He showed hard with his
bat and the ball proceeded rapidly to left
Mexican crossing the plate. Mac was am
out for running cut of line, though he was
easily caught by FarrelIs throw to De-
Montreville. In the seventh McGarr hit
ball that went within half an inch Of the
foul line, and reached second, and in the
eighth Mexican sent an easy one straight
at Cartwright but it bounded unexpectedly
way over the big first baseman's head and
counted as hit. Cleveland. however, had
finished scoring.
In the first inning for Washington De
Montreville singled but he was forced at
second. In the fifth Lush got to the initial
bag single to McKean's territory and
balls. Both runners were left. Time and
innings rolled into the past, and 1t looked
like another case of whitewash, for Mr.
Wilson's delivery was not at all easy
However, a chance to give vent to enthu-
siasm occurred in the eighth. De Montre-
vile. who led off, flied to left. Selbach. the
next batter. who had not been doing much
with the stick up to that time, thought he
would break the mcnotony and cracked a
single to center.
"Oh, for three-bagger," moaned some
one In the stand back Of first base. There
was no audible response, for the chances
were one hundred to one against such
happening. Charlie Farrell proved to be
the right man in the right place, however.
Wilson posed for moment, and then
pitched the ball. Farrell was seen to make
lunge, and for several seconds thereafter
all was pandemoriLm. Those in the front
seats could discern two flelders having
foot race toward the fence back of center
field. Selbach was observed to move around
ha
Duke seated himself on third to recover
lost breath. When things finally quieted
down play was resumed. Smith was given
his base on balls, and then 1t was that
Pitcher Wilson was benched. OBrien hit
to Childs and Farrell started for the plate.
He made a slide, but Childs' return to Zim-
mer was like lightning.
You're cut" ruled Hurst, and many
hearts sank But hold! For once luck was
with us. Instantaneously with the ruling
Of the umpire Big Chief dropped the ball
and the run counted. A passed ball allow
ed both Smith and O'Brien to move up q
base, and the three bags were occupied
moment later when Tom Brown was hit
by the ball. Cartwright sent the ball to-
ward Mexican, but it landed against
O'Brien, who was running to third. John
ME was thereby out and the other runners
returned to the bases from which they
started. Cartwright a moment later was
forced at second.
The Spiders went to bat in the ninth with
a do or die air. But Mercer was on his
mettle. Mr.. McAleer sent a very gentle
one to Smith and was promptly thrown
out. Mr.. Tebeau was very ambitious. but
the ball he succeeded in hitting preceded
him to Cartwright by several yards, and
the crowd yelled on. Mr. McGarr was un-
Questionably bent on driving out home
run. His efforts amused Mercer greatly.
The latter put a compounds twist on the
ball. McGarr made three mighty lunges
and all was over. Bon voyage, Spiders, till
1897. The score:
WASHINGTON. CLEVELAND.