The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-03
BEAT THE ATHLETICS
Nationals Spring a Big Sur
prise at Philadelphia.
SECOND GAME LOST IN NINTH
With Victory in Sight Walter John
son Throws Ball to Left Field
Fence, Giving Connie Mack's Team
the Afternoon Contest - Weiser
Wizard Pitches a Great Game.
spscisl to The washington Herald.

Special 10 The Washington Herald
Philadelphia, Sept. 2.-The Washington
club to-day treated Philadelphia to one
Of the greatest surprises experienced in
local baseball circles in many moons by
easily defeating the Athletic pennant
chasers in the morning game and giving
Connie MaclIs men the worst sort OF a
scare in the afternoon contest, which, up
to the second half of the ninth inning,
was in favor Of Washington.
The work Of the visitors was reveal
ton to the $4,000 people who saw the con-
tests. It has been years since Philadel-
phia has seen Washington team with a
dash and spirit which characterized the
work of Cantillon's recognized club. and
even though the result of the days play
was a keen disappointment to those who
are backing the Athletics to land the Tag,
the crowds were sportsmanly enough to
give the Nationals credit for every good
play by liberal applause.
Charley Smith was a puzzle to the Ath-
letics in the morning and the visitors got
their three runs which they won by timely
hitting
Oh, Walter! Oh, WaIterI
Great was the afternoon battle, but
even greater was the finish. It was a
struggle that aroused the great crowd Of
2l,l57 to the widest excitement the thun-
derous shouts echoing when the Athletics
finally won.
This great demonstration all happened
when young Johnson picked up Monte
Cross neat bunt in front of the plate, IN
the ninth. hurled the sphere high over
Third Baseman O'Brien's head. and Col
Inns and Oldring scored the two runs that
defeated Washington. Nothing could re-
strain the vast throng. which, in an in
slant left grand stand and bleachers
Johnson, Washington's nineteen-year-
oh Thencm, had pitched great BAH in
the preceding eight innings. He had re-
markable speed and wonderful COM
mand. So effective had ne been against
Philadelphia's pennant aspirants that ne
was cheered TO the echo by the big
crowd when he came to bar in the fifth
inning. And this was two innings prior
10 his feat Of retiring the Athletics with
out run, with the bases loaded, and
no one out. This was in the seventh IN
ming. a remarkable and unusual play
alone preventing the Athletics from win
ming the game in this round. Oldri1g
opened with a single &c right and took
second when Powers smashed the sphere
20 center for d single. Plank hunted, and
with no chance whatever Of getting his
man, Johnson threw TO second TO head
off Powers. This filled the bases. Hart
sci hit a short fly. which Jones caught
back Of shOrtstOp. Nichols then almost
tore off Johnson's left hand. the bail
rebOunding ten feet TO the left. directly
into the hands of Delehanty. who ran
over IN first base, stepped on the bag,
and completed a double play. retiring
the side.
How Ii Happened.
In the final inning Collins received Il
pass. This was the first time Johnson
had issued a base on balls during the
game. Oldring registered mis- third hit
by smashing the first bail pitched past
Altzer. Powers hunted at the first ball,
but fouled. Davis then ran in and con-
suited with Powers. who left the plate.
and Cross appeared on the scene With
two strikes, Cross made a perfect bunt.
the ball rolling a few feet il front of
the plate. Johnson ran in, licked ND the
ball clearly, and to the surprise of every
person within his vision, wheeled and
hurled the ball directly at O'Brien. but
the sphere went high over the third
baseman's head. and, with a volcanic
shout from the crowd that heralded vic
tory Collins and OIdring ran across the
plate, the Washington players making no
attempt to field the ball.
Ia the third inning Murphy completed
the feature play OF the contest when.
while running backward, be threw I'D
his gloved hand and pulled down Jones
short by.
Warner Thrown Ont.
Both Seybold and Oldring executed star
running catches. that Of the former cut
ting on q hit that would have scored two
runs. The big right fielder also distin-
guished himself by retiring the last
Washington batsman by throwing out
Warner at first after the catcher had
made solid single 70 right
The Athletics scored in the first inning.
After HaTtsel had punctured the air.
Nichols scratched a hit to first base. A
Vic p.tc', advanced him to second, and
De scores i "a single by Seybold
~ .Ahingt on tied the score in the second. /
after 1lyrleT had been retired on strikes.
q BfteE walked. Altizer hit to Nichols.
w1o threw 70 second to catch O'Brien,
b't tile GALL arrived too late Smith
waike1. Sling the bases and after Sey-
beiH ,sad caught Warmers fly. O'Brien
scored from third The Nationals took
the lead in the third inning. With two
out Ganley singled to right and stole
second. scoring when DeIehanty hit into
the lefJ-ffeld cToWd.