Evening star., 1899-04-15
Senators Lost Their First Game Of
the Season.
IMMENSE CROWD At PHILADELPHIA
Irwin's Boys Create Favorable
Impression.
COLONELS BADLY BEATEN

The Philadelphia Times has the follow
ing to say Of yesterdays Philadelphia
Washington game:
Lowering clouds, from which fell occa-
sional showers, undoubtedly deferred thou
sands who yearly make 1t their habit to
witness the first base ball game Of the sea-
son from taking part in the exercises that
marked the opening Of another season yes
terday. With Washington as the attrac-
ton the Phillies started on their long race,
and started well, at least they won their
game This was much to the delight of the
crowd, which numbered between 1900 and
$4,000. for. as a rule, the home team Is not
much in the face Of large crowds.
AT o'clock the crowd broke into
mighty shout as the players made their
appearance upon the field and formed for
the customary march to the fagpole. The
Philies were attired In their immaculate
white uniforms, trimmed with a delightful
shade of pea green, while the Senators
looked particularly neat in their drab suits
with black trimmings In full company
front, preceded by the Municipal Band,
each team marshaled by Its manager, and
keeping step to one Of Sousa's soul-inspir-
ing strains, they swept across the field.
wheeled at the home plate and counter
marched to the fiagpole in center field.
Raising the Flag.
Here the usual flag raising took place,
and rs the folds Of old glory unfurled from
out Of their depths huttered hundreds of
diminutive star spangled banners. They
were caught by the wind and carried to all
parts of the field, where they were eagerly
gathered in by the cheering spectators.
This ended the opening exercises, and
the next half hour was given over to the
usual lfmbering-up process, in which those
assembled showed keen interest.
How Washington Lost.
Neither side scored in the opening inning.
which was marked by the usual presenta-
ton of flowers to favorites, Cooley, Thomas
and Piatt being the lucky recipients. In
their half of the second the Senators
scored twice, and the crowd settled down
to what they imagined would be the usual
opening day defeat. 1t was not until the
n1th that Quaker crossed the plate and
In the meantime Washington hao tailed one
more. In this attempt good hitting coupled
with a little wildness on Killens part and
the only fielding error charged against the
visitors, allowed the home team to tie the
score. Washington again took the lead in
their half of the sixth. but the Phillies
went them one better In their turn at bat,
and for the first time showed in front This
was the signal for the only real old-time
outburst of enthusiasm shown b.>--he spec
tators during the entire afternoon. Wash
seventh, and the Phillies also added one In
their half. This ended the run getting of
the day.
Good Work of Senators.
Pitching honors were evenly distributed
between the two left-handers, but Killens
support was by far superior to that of his
opponent. Casey did brilliant work at third
and Gettman won a round of applause for
his catch Of LADDERS line drive in the sixth,
OBrien got recognition in the second in ac-
cepting long fly to left by Mcfarland and
also for his fielding of other hits in the
same direction. Lauder, despite his one
error, is entitled to the lions share of honor
IN neiding sense so far as the home team
is concerned. He made a beautiful stop of
Paddens wicked drive in the sixth, taking
the ball with one hand, and by a quick
throw to second figured in a double play
Thomas showed up well at first, his pickup
OF wild throw by Cross in the ninth,
which terminated the game being a neat
piece of work
Cooley's timely hitting was the all-import-
ant foctor In the home teams success. Nc
CURE and Padden were the only ones of the
visitors to secure more than one hit off
Piatt
Manager Irwin has gotten together a like
iy lot Of ball players and before the present
season Is ended, If his pitching staff will
DO It's share, they will make trouble for
all the other teams In the league