New-York tribune., 1911-04-22
ONE RUN BRINGS
DEFEAT TO YANKEES
Wild Throw by Ford Fatal, and
Senators Win Opening Game
on Hilltop.
DAY TOO CHILLY FOR CROWD
Groom Holds Chase and His
Band in Check Once Lead
Is Gained in First
Inning.

amazement the perky washington Sena-
tors. who somehow or other have got
pennant bee buzzng in their bonnets. took
undue liberties with Russell Ford. and. un-
terrorized 10y a reputation. humbled the
premier pitcher OF the American League
when the Yankees opened their home sea-
son on the hilltop yesterday afternoon.
The visitors won by a score OF to 0.
The only run OF the game came in the
first inning and was due to a glaring error
by Ford. Before the brilliant twirier got
warmed up Milan and Germany" Schaefer,
the first two men 10 go TO bat lined
singles to centre field. Elherfeld then drb-
bled TO the box. and Ford had a world OF
time TO catch the runner AZ first He made
a heave which even the Peerless Hal could
not reach. The ball sailed to the bleachers.
and Milan trotted across the plate with the
winning run. as il turned oUt. The side was
then retired with ease
American League Park was gayly deco
rated for the reception Of the Yankees
and a tremendous crowd on the opening
day. Flags flOated from every coign of van
tage. and the grandstand was draped with
bunting. The postpoEement, which was
caused by the storm, worked TO disad-
vantage. There were not as many out as
saw the game which the Giants and Su-
perbas played last Saturday. As a mat
ter Of fact. all the seats In the bleachers
were not taken. and although prepara-
tions had been made FOR an overflow to the
field the ropes and benches were removed
Just before the game began.
The crowd appeared TO lack enthusiasm.
and only once or twice during the game
did they get worked UP TO a volley of
hearty cheers. Many came early. and by
the time the players arrived on the field
there was a goodly number TO greet them.
All the favOrites were vigorously applaud
ed as they walked to the tench from the
clubhouse band was or hand TO enter
tain the crowd until tie conflict began,
when City Chamberlain Hyde threw the
first ball 10 Connolly. the umpire
A days vacation did not tend to put The
players in the best Of form, and when
they went 10 the diamond for fielding prac-
tice neither nine showed great deal OF
speed and ginger. The infielders did not
whip the ball around in their usual form.
and the snap and dash Of Hal Chase's work
showed up the playing of the rest of the
men. BY the time that the contest be
gan the sky was overcast and a chill
wind blew across the field. This in itself
was enough 10 keep down to meagre pro-
portions an attendance which gave prom
Use early i'm the afternoon Of being beyond
bounds
Among the touching episodes was the
presentation TO Hal Chase Of a tremendous
basket Of roses. which he and the team
gracefully received. when the young man
ager came up to the plate for the first time.
IL took the united efforts of five men and
special policeman 10 carry the work of
art on and off the field The fans
cheered vociferously at the ceremony. and
after battery of cameras had been trained
on the players, grouped with studied ease
around the floral Offering. the game was
allowed TO proceed.
ii was an unfortunate anniversary for
Ford. one year ago yesterday the young
ster had his first chance to start a game
for the Yankees. on that occasion he de-
feated the Philadelphia Athletics by
score Of 70 0. striking out nine batsmen
and allowing only five hits. Harry Davis
going to the bench by the way Of the
strike-out route four times. There was
different tale to tell with the Senators.
however, yesterday. Ford was not himself.
visitors in check. What would have hap
pened If he had faced hard hitting team.
like Detroit is difficult TO say. In the
eight innings he twirled he allowed only
four hits but he struck out only one bats
man and gave two passes. The Senators
all connected with the ball. but failed to
hit i, safely. Ford was not working right,
and opposing batsmen got him in a hole
nearly every time. but he had enough
stuff on the ball 10 pull out safely. Had
he not thrown away the game in the first
inning Washington would not have joined
the envied ranks Of Philadelphia and Detroit
as being the only teams in the American
League who have ever beaten Ford
The Yankees suffered severely by weak
hitting and failure 10 connect in the
pinches. Groome had a wonderful break
on his curve ball. which made him an in
soluble enigma. He kept the six hits which
he allowed so well scattered that the scor-
ing potentially OF the Yankees was re-
duced TO zero. lie struck out eight men
and gave only two passes. He had an able
assistant in the person OF Street. however,
whose throws TO second and third bases
were timed with such deadly accuracy
that Hal Chase was the only Yankee 10
get away with a stolen base. on four
other occasions when the home nine got
good start and threatened TO break up the
game Street nipped the rallies in the bud
by catching the runners stealing.
After the visitors had scored their first
run it appeared To be slim lead indeed.
and the fans" never for a moment be-
heved that IL would win the game. But
as time went on that run lOomed up big
ger and bigger. In six Of the frames IL
was one, two. three for the Yankees.
With two out in the FIRST. Chase and
Hartzell singled. but Knight popped an
easy one 10 Mcbride. Two passes and
single in the fifth failed 10 bring any one
home. When the ninth inning rolled