The San Francisco call., 1898-05-30
OAKLAND PLAYS 4 GREAT CAME A Big Surprise for the
 Frisco Nir4e. WHEELER PITCHED WILDLY TOSSED AS THOUGH AT WOODEN
 DOLLS The Team That Was Expected to Do Some Great Playing Was a Dis appointment to the
 Crowd.
WHEELER PITCHED WILDLY
TOSSED AS THOUGH AT WOODEN
 DOLLS.
BY JOE CORBETT.

Er. Cal Ewing may not possess a very keen perception of the uncertainty of the great national game, yet the faith and confidence he displayed when talking of his teams ability to make the San Fran ciscos look like a bunch of question marks" was certainly not misplaced. It, however, developed after nine innings of '' rag-time" playing that the Oaklands could play bali little bit, and that their hustling manager, Cal Ewing, knew what he was talking about The San Francis cos, who have evidently been playing a game faster than they themselves thought possible, awakened to the cruel reality after a few rounds with Ewing's braves that there was such a thing as losing game. They may have had what Is known in baseball as an of day Their playing to-day was about as good as Fresno's was the day before, the only difference being in the score. As was the case In Saturdays game everybody expected to see a hard-fought battle and in view of that fact a good crowd was present-in fact 1t was the banner crowd of the season
 The assemblage at yesterdays game, while disappointed in the work of their home team, was nevertheless given many an opportunity to breok loose, as there were many brilliant plays. H. Krug ac- quilted nlmself admirably in left field, making some very pretty throws and fine running catches. The Friscos tried hard enough to wIn, but such playing as Stroecker put up in right field would de- moralize any team. Then Wheeler, who pitches in "spotS." was overcome with that tired feeling as was Thomas in Saturdays game, and just to show that if necessary he could send a few men to bases in the fifth inning began pitching as though he was throwing at wooden dolls" Lange, the first man up, was out and then began the wooden doll act.' Hardie was hit, and so was Sykes. Fail ing to put Sullivan out of the game, he was given a free passage to first, and the bases were filled. Then MT Wheeler endeavored to pull himsllf togther, but the pardon came too late" Schmeer, the next batter, sent hit into center. So did Moskiman, and then Dean hit one to first, sending in a run on the play. In this inning three men crossed the plate and MT. Wheeler was directly respon- sible for every one of them. Whether his wildness, or rather carelessness, caused the FriscoS to work up Q don care sort of spirit l am unable to state. but up to this inning the game was a very good one, both teams playing ex- celent ball, and everything pointing to a warm finish. But 1t seems as though hoodoo follows in the wake Of some or these teams when they play here II they do not put up inferior ball at the start something happens to mar the beauty or the game at some stage
 
 story-a good start and a hand-me-down finish, the peculiar part of 1t all being the team that was expected to do all of the brilliant playing fell down. It was really the greatest surprise of the sea. son. and no doubt the Oaklands are or the same opinion. No one seems capable of giving a sensible reason as regards the change of form. The Oaklands playing | yesterday in every department was su- perb. Moskiman pitched good, steady game and was given almost perfect sup l port. He allowed, the Friseos but seven scattering hits and besides fielded ed his p. pc. particular star putting up a game Na at tional Leaguer ''bow his head in shame" He did not have so very many ny chances the few that happened his way brought | down the stands twice oyer 5;it The game pdne contained many brilliant plays, prin- 1 cipally on the Oakland side, and was at times interesting, although the boys from across the bay outplayed their opponents | at all positions and stages of the con- test The score is as follows:
 FRANCISCO