Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-25
BY J. ED GRILLo.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK October 25.-Nothing but
a miracle can prevent the Athletics from
again winning the worlds championship
Whatever hope there was for the Giants
went gIimmering with the pummeling of
Christy Mathewson at Philadelphia yes
terday Had that game been won by the
New Workers there might, perhaps. have
still been some doubt as to the outcome
but with the third straight victory scored
10y the Athletics the series is as good rs
over. It may be. of course. that Mar
guard will check the Athletics today, but
that would only be prolonging the series
and delaying the inevitable result.
The downfall of Mathewson in the game
of yesterday sounded the death knell to
the hopes of the Giants. 1t was a case
of a great pitcher going to the slab
to see the hero of so many diamond
battles being handled as If he were
some amateur. Mathewson was hit hard,
much harder. in fact, than the score will
show. for his support on difficult chances
was all that could be asked and did much
to hold the score of the Athletics down.
Macks men went at Matty with conf
dence and determination. During the
first inning, when he retired the side on
strikes, 1t seemed that the great master
due to- shine once more. But even
when the Athletics were not scoring they
were constantly hitting the ball hard. and
those who observe pitchers work close
ly may have seen that the great Christy
was slipping. The death blow was struck
IN the fourth. when the first three men to
face him drove out long doubles. which
knocked down the Giants lead and gave
the Athletics the lead. 1t was hard
blow for the Giants In none of the
games of the series did their chances
look better than yesterday. They had
t,xFF- nraa tn fh<z a.
inning, and with Mathewson apparently
going good it looked as II the series were
sure to be tied up again. But there is no
stopping the Athletics.
They went about their work as IL they
felt II was only a question of time when
the tide was turned. and they were there
to force il whenever the break came.
Nor was there anything fuky about the
victory. IL was straight-cut AFFAIR in
which the better team did the better play
ing In fact, il was the best exhibition
the Athletics have given In the series.
Macks team seems gradually TO have
found its batting stride, and ii easily out
classed its rivals again yesterday.
Bender got a rather poor start, but he
was not to be solved thereafter. though
perhaps there would have been closer
fight had not the Giants displayed mis-
cradle judgment on the bases. a feature
OF the game at which they We're sup
posed TO shine. But the Indian chief.
hard. He was in one or two tight places.
IL having men on the bases can be so
termed and in these important games
such conditions always are so considered.
But behind him Bender had real ball
team-a team which does not quit trying
under the most adverse conditions. and
one which under most circumstances can
be relied upon TO make life miserable for
the opposing pitcher
McCiraw acted like a man who realized
that his efforts were useless during the
closing innings of the game.
Though the lead of the Athletics was
not enormous, he seemed TO have no con-
ndence in his team irving to beat the
score. and after the sixth inning he was
seen no more on the coaching lines where
during the early innings he strutted
about like peacock on dress parade.
Perhaps the Giants leader, who has been
styled the Napoleon Of base ball, the Lit
tie Corporal and other nice things, re-
aiizes that he Is up against a tough prop
csition and that nothing but q scratch
car save him from the humiliation of oe-
feat. But be that as IL may, tile fact re-
mains thai he did hot venture from under
the cover of the bench during the closing
innings of the game.
When this series is over and the Ath-
letics divide their spells il viii be well
for them TO remember Frank Baker To
him belongs the greater share of the
eradit for the three victories which have
-aleady been scored and no doubt he will