New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-16
MERKLE HELPS MATN
DEFEAT THE REDS
Drives Out a Home Run, with
Two Men on Bases, in the
Sixth Inning.
SAVES GAME FOR GIANTS
Cincinnati Makes Vicious Rally
in Ninth Frame, but big
Six" Tightens Up
in Time.

Fred Merkle's home run to the left field
bleachers brought victory TO the Giants
yesterday, when the Cincinnati Reds began
q series at the Polo Grounds. The score
was 4 TO 8. There were two men on the
bases when Fred made his circuit drive In
the sixth inning. and three runs resulted
AS the ball nestled down among the sign
boards over the heads Of the fans the
link which has stuck to Mathewson closer
than a brother for two weeks muttered a
loud and wailing Good night and fitted
away TO pay its respects TO some other
mound luminary 1t was Matty's first VIC
tory in four games.
The Reds entered the fray with an ex-
tremely cocky mien. as though bent upon
catching Matty in a slump and breaking
their losing streak OF three sessions against
him. They make a gallant fight and with
a ninth inning rally forced the big pitcher
10 so the limit to save the game. Downey
and Grant led off in the last frame with
singles. and in less time than 1t takes to
tell two runners had cantered over the
plate, and there were two more on the
bases waiting 10 score. While Matty had
passed Mclean and allowed Bescher to hit
safely, there were two out and Marsans
proved easy, Bridwell TO Merkle. II was
the highest squeeze the Peerless One had
during the game but when the real test
came he met 1t valiantly, and the Reds had
to be content TO wait for another day.
Matty was hit freely all during the con-
test. Although Hoblitzell planted the ball
in the right field stands for home run
in the sixth. all CT Cincinnati's ten hits
were well scattered and proved Of little
value until the visitors managed to bunch
three in the last inning. Matty gave only
one pass and struck out four men.
Gaspar pitched a pretty game for six
innings, retiring to let Almeida strike out
for him with two men on the bases in the
seventh. HUMPHREYS. recently acquired
from Philadelphia, finished the contest, al
lowing only one hit in the two innings he
twirled Gaspar did a fine bit Of work IN
the second inning, when the Giants threat
ened TO knock him out Of the box. Becker
led of with a double and Merkle singled
through short. scoring New York's first
run. Bridwen singled over second and
Fletcher drew a pass, filling the bases
With no one out, Gaspar found Meyers
the best hitter of the Giants, at the plate
but the Chief dribbed 10 the box and q
double play resulted, Gaspar 70 Mclean &c
Hoblitzel, Brdwell and Meyers being out
"Matty" then lifted a fly to Egan and the
inning was over. The Cincinnati twirler al
lowed only eight hits and was progressing
smoothly until Merkle smashed out his
home run and broke up the game.
The hitting Of Merkle. Becker and Doyle
was feature of the contest. The big first
baseman of the Giants with his three hits
was responsible for all of the four runs
tailed by the team. Fred singled after
Becker had doubled in the second and tai
lied two men before him with his home
run. Becker was credited with two doubles
TO right field and crossed the plate twice
for the Giants. Larry Doyle's two hits
profted him little, as he was caught of
first by Gaspar after singing in the first
ana tried to stretch a double into triple
in the fifth, but was out at third. Hob
litzel and Mclean seemed most at home
with "Mattys" curves
Both teams heded in snappy fashion, the
Giants playing errorless ball. Bridwell anc
Fletcher between them handled twelve
chances perfectly. Grant was guilty Of
the only miSplay by the Reds. and this re-
suited later in run.
There was a big gathering on hand which
nearly filed the big new grandstand. The
crowd was estimated at about 10000 per
sons. Fair skies and a COOL strong breez
made the weather ideal for a ball game.
The contest was much freer from bicker
ings between umpires and players thar
some Of the battles with Pittsburg. Fin
neran decided a close decision in favor o
the Giants when Snodgrass stole second IL
the third inning, and Egan was put out o
the game for throwing his glove on tn,
ground. Esmond played second there
after
Beckers double and Merkle's single gave
the Giants their first run in the SECOND
inning Hobitzell tied the score with z
homer in the sixth. In the last half of The
same inning, however. Snodgrass was safe
when Grant fumbled his easy little roller
Becker doubled over third again. and Mer-
kle's home run scored both runners.
Downey opened the ninth for the Red;
with q single through Fletcher. Bridwel
found Grants grounder too hot 10 handle
giving the runner life at first Esmond
bounced vicious drive off Mattys glove
and Fletcher whipped the ball 10 second
10 force Grant for the first cut. Mclean
drew a pass, filing the bases, and JUL
was sent in 10 run for the catcher. AL
though Severoid. batting for HUMPHREYS
lifted q fly 10 DOYLE, Bescher singled "a
centre, scoring Downey and Esmond. Juu
took third and Bescher stole second un.
rnolested but Marsans grounded out tC
Bridwell.
The score follows: