The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-10-18
Baker Clouted the Mathewson
Offering For Second Home
Run of the Series.
BOTH PITCHERS SUPERB.
Result of Yesterdays Crucial
Contest Puts Athletics In
a Fair Way To Cop.
BY oRANTLAND RICE:

Marquard stood between the Giants
and defeat. In the worlds series they
have stood as firmly until Frank Bak-
er's mighty war club swept them both
from the path. The score was TO 2
and Baker did IL again.
John Franklin Baker. of Trappe, Md.
That's the name and that's the hon.
ored village beneath today's white
spotlight. For the first time In his
career. pitching as grandly as he ever
pitched Christy Mathewson has gone
down in worlds series defeat. His
mates had cracked behind him--John-
ny Coombs was pitching valiant ball
and the hard-hitting visitors were
rushing and assaulting Matty savage
ly Under this crimson fire the Giant
premier had carried the battle into
the ninth round with l to lead
He had led his team upon both attack
and defense. He was the Giant ma
chine, almost alone and unaided He
had put his great right arm between
his people and defeat round after
round And then. with victory In sight,
with his fifth Philadelphia win since
a.
and with only two men left TO retire,
John Franklin Baker threw his war
club into. the argument and as the ball
sailed gracefully and swiftly far and
deep into the right field crowd, the
story ended.
In Mathewson's twelve campaigns Of
pitching. this was the toughest blow
of his pitching life. There we're two
strikes called on Baker when Matty
broke one over with a curve which
croke shoulder high. For a brief
second the gray ball seemed TO hand
in midair and then-bing-a then
Good night
No two bali clubs ever fought a
more terrific battle. In contrast the
first two conflicts, the third duel fair
~ reeked with whirl and climaxes and
hair raising episodes. Coombs pitched
with spectacular effect His support
was true and staaneh at the vital
spots. He broke in but one round
the third--when Meyers singled.
Mathewson hammered the Indian to
third and Devores force out put the
Chief across. From this point out the
Athletic iron man held the Giants
spellbound with an occasional fiutter
OF wildness, until Herzog doubled In
the eleventh and scored on Eddie Col
Inns tumble.
All this time the Athletic machine
was outplaying the Giants man for
man, with the exception OF Mathew
SON Mack's men were stealing on
Meyers and Mack's infield was out
playing the Giants, with both outfields
steady, but Mathewson still stood
guard before the door OF Giant hope.
He was pitching his fifth worlds
series game and a run had TO be earn
ed from his wonderful pitching. With
far less speed than Coombs and a
curve ball hardly as sharp, the Giant
magician was still standing one OF the
hardest hitting ball clubs that ever
played upon its beam ends. Try as
they would, they could not break be-
meath his guard. His mates were con-
fident OF victory, the vast audience
was preparing TO leave the park. and
then, we repeat again, came Baker.
Bakers wallop not only inspired his
pals with new hope, but It cracked
the Giant machine into fragments.
Mathewson still pitched well, but his
reeling support kicked away the final
chance. Three infield misplays at the
end. coupled with a brace OF hits
which otherwise might not have scor-
ed. gave the Philadelphians two runs
and a deadly sure lead.
The Giants fought back briefly,
when Herzog doubled to left, and soon
scored on Collins tumble, but the rail-
" died quick. Even with Bakers
fame-making swipe. had Mathewson's
support remained intact, he might
have had a chance to win. But there
was the tinge OF the bush 70 Giant
playing after Baker came through and
upset the scenery
This sudden turn at the close for
the first game gave the Athletics the
lump. The odds, for the first time.
now belong their way. They have not
only won two games to one. but play
today at home with Bender ready for
another start and Mathewson unayail-
able until Thursday. when even then
ne will hardly be fresh and at his
best. lie looked tired and worn as
he left the box I'm the eleventh, crush
ed by the sudden turn which had driv-
en- him back just as the crest was
reached
The Athletics looked to be better
club Tuesday Collins again izZled a
BIT but in the main their play was
sure and keen. Coombs worked with
flashing speed, which gave him a big
edge upon a gray. dark day. where
speed Is always hardest TO hit
In only two rounds was Mathewson
In deep trouble till the ninth. Davis
single. which hit Connolly and Bar
rvs sacrifice in the fifth, put the Ath-
letics in close distance, with only one
out But Lapp and Coombs were
handled with east. In the eighth. Bar
~ doubled and Lapp- singled, as
Fletcher erred. but again Mathewson
came through by stopping Coombs
and Lord. and tanning Gliding.
All in all. IL was probably the most
exciting single game ever played. con-
sidering the amount OF Importance
which lay upon almost every play. The
great crowd was held In the grip OF an
excitement which exuded It's force
1.