Evening star., 1909-07-13
WEATHER AND MAPS
BLANK NATIONALS
II Got So Dark Players Could
Not See the BaII-John-
sons Hard Luck.
Snecial Dispatch 10 The Star.

Special Itispafth 70 1 ~ 'Htai-
CLEVELAND. Ohio, July 13.-The fates
we're unkind to Walter Johnson, Joe Can
tillon's star pitcher, and the Nationals
Yesterday They were the chief cause OF
the visitors defeat at the hands OF the
Iarrupers, :, to o. in a game that Just
went one out past the regulation limit
of -four and one-haIf innings, the nome
team being in the lead.
The sky was overcast with black clouds
and Cantillon figured that the Maps
wouldn't have a chance against the great
speed of the boy wonder.
Hughes, Groome and Johnson warmed
IN, the two former working out longer
than did Johnson. Cantillon. however,
picked the latter. as il appeared to be
growing darker every minute. Joe had 1t
figured out all right from q pitching
standpoint, but he was off on the Ma
tionas' fielding end Of the contest The
darkness interfered to a great extent
with the Nationals in fielding ground
bans and to this fact can be traced
Washington's defeat.
Maps Get Flying Start.
The Maps got away 10 running start
and the Cantillonites had to trail all the
way 1t was just the visitors luck TO
have the foodgates open shortly after
the contest had passed the regulation
limit of four and one-half rounds.
The first half of the fifth inning was
played in darkness that could scarcely be
penetrated by knife. The umpire, how
ever, was desirous of getting the game
in and kept the players on the jump.
When the Maps came TO the bat in the
fifth it was no darker. but despite the
strenuous objections of Cantillon and his
men. Umpires Egan and Connolly con-
ferred after Turner had struck out and
decided To call time because of high
winds 1t was blowing A veritable gale
during the time the Nationals were at
bat in their half of the fifth, but the arbi-
traitors waited until the contest was COM
pleted as far as the time limit required
by the rules is concerned and then called
the game.
Five minutes later il would have been
impossible to have continued play. as the
storm broke forth in all its fury and the
playing field soon resembied a pond. Had
anybody attempted to cross the field it
would have been necessary to don top
boots or use boat.
Dusty" Knew His Business.
Dusty Rhoades probably the most
tantalizing and nerve racking pitcher in
the business. was selected by Manager
I.ajoie to down the Nationals. and well
he did his work. Cleveland fans. accus-
toned as they have been in the past
TO seeing Rhoades stall and drag out a
game, were treated to agreeable sur
prise. from a Cleveland standpoint, in
the first half of the fifth. when Dusty
gave one of the grandest exhibitions of
rapid-fire pitching ever seen at the local
grounds.
The Maps. despite their three-run lead
and the threatening condition of the
weather. had not been putting forth any
extra efforts to hurry matters along, as
they thought the sauall would hold off a
sufficient length of time to permit of five
innings When they were at bat in the
fourth a monster cloud as black as a
Washington butler. came in view over
the grandstand and served as a warning
to them to get busy
Perring drove a long foul into the left
field bleachers and then gave Donahue
an easy grounder. Ball came to bat
and cracked out single. a hit which
on light day would have been easy
picking for Bob Unglaub. but which on
a dark day 1t was impossible to field, al
though he knocked it down with one
hand. The Nationals were just as well
satisfied as they had seen the big black
cloud. and were hopeful of stalling long
enough to ward off defeat. Just at this
time old Cy Young. the original farmer
player of the American League. hur-
ried to the coaching line and beseeched
Ball TO go down on the first ball pitched
and make certain of it that he was re-
tired before he could touch second.
Stalling for Time.
Then came a raw exhibition on the
part of both Maps and Nationals. Ball
started for second and covered ground
Just about as fast as Jim Mcclure, Joe
Cantfllon, Mike kahoe or some of tho