The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-12
By Defeating Giants
Become Champions
Of World.
TWO OLD MASTERS
FACE EACH OTHER
Both Respond Nobly, but New
York Players. Unable to Help
Mathewson by Batting, Fall
Victims to Fast Playing
Philadelphians-Personal
Triumph for Plank,

NOW 3orE, October 1i~Irho Phi1a-
delphiA Athletics won tho baseball
championship OF tho world for 1918
1t the Polo Grounds this afternoon by
defeating the Now York Giants to /
in the eth and deciding game OF the
series.
With tho soore OF games standing
fhros TO ono IN their favor, tho Aneri-
can Leasuers went In to clnch the
series. and before tho masterly play
ing OF tho Mackmen tho National
Leasuers had absolutely no chance.
Connie Mack. anxious to finish the
struggle, sent Eddie Plank. his veteran
southpaw. to the mound, and John
McGraw, his back to tho wall called
On Christy Mathewson to chock the
victorious rush of tho Athletics
Both old masters Of curve and break
responded nobly, but tho Giants. un-
able to help Mathowson by even medi-
ocre batting, fell victims to tho vici-
Gus hitting. fast fielding combination
which has again raised tho standard
OF tho American League over that of
tho National organization. Tho VIC
tory was personal triumph for
Plank but tho downfall OF the Giants
carried no odium for Mathewson, who.
besides pitching excellent game
with but two days OF rest since his
victory Of Wednesday, made one OF
the TWO hits scored against his rival
in the box.
Cnn't Overcome Lead.
Mathewson did not respond as
promptly To the demands made upon
him as did Plank. and lacking that
wonderful offensive and defensive sap
port which the Athletics accorded to
their twirier. faltered just enough in
the opening innings OF the game TO give
the Mackmen lead that tho Giants
were powerless to overcome. The top
half OF the Philadelphia club batting
order hit heavily when hits meant
runs. Mathewson faced determined
ciuh-swing.nS aggregation from the
first moment he stepped into tho box
and before he could get his curves
working smoothly the game had been
won.
Eddie Murphy, the first batter to
stand at the plate. drove Mathewson's
initial pitch through short for n single.
Cldrins attempted to sacrifice. but
forced Murphy at second Collins
came through with single to right,
putting Oldr!ng on third Burns caught
Bakers line fly, but tho throw to the
plate was too high for Mclean. and
Oldring slid across with the first run.
The Athletics gathered In two more
runs in the third. Murphy again open
ed the inning with single through
short. Oldring followed with a smash
al Doyle. who fumbled. and the batter
was safe. while Murphy scampcrcd to
second. Collins sacrificed the runners
along q base each. Baker dribbled a
Cincinnati base hit at Merkle. who tried
FOR the batter and then for Murphy at
the plate. missing both as conse-
ouence. McInnis then scored Oldring
from third with sacrifice fly TO Burns,
end the Athletics run-making was mt
an end.
Lone Run for Giants.
The Giants lone run came In the NTH,
and was due to a peculiar break in the
game that che home fans thought had
marked the fall OF the Athletics won
cerful defense. After Burns had flied
TO McInnis, Plank temporarily lost con-
troll OF the ball. walking Shafer. On
hit and run play Murray raised a high
ny to the centre OF the diamond. Plank
moved up few steps to set himself
for tho catch. and as Shafer had al
ready reached second, a double play
appeared assured Baker upset the
whole infeld by rushing over from
third and trying to take the ball from
Plank. He jostled the pitcher just
enough to make him drop the ball and
both runners were safe, while Plank
was charged with an error because the
ball touched his outstretched hands.
Some $4,000 fans now were roofing in
real earnest. A base hit followed.
Larry Mclean was the Giant to de-
liver the hit to left centre. and Shafer
record time Merkle drove n humming
grounder at Collins, who snapped it up
and tossed to Barry forcing Mclean
at second. Without moments hesi-
tation. Barry flashed the ball to Me-
Innis, and Merltle was out by a step.
II was one Of tho $780, 900 infeld's dou-
BILE plays that cut down opponents at
critical periods of the game. and 1t
spelled the finish OF the Giants as
worlds series contenders then and
there.
Never In Trouble.
From that point on Plank and the
players back of him were never in
trouble. The two-run lead grow more
formidable as the game progressed,
and many OF the fans began to leave
the park at the end OF the seventh in
ming. But for Bakers overeagerness
Plank would have been credited with
pitching n one-hit, no-run game, but
Plank did not bother to quibble about
such little. details. 1t was enough for
him that he had won.
Plank could we'll afford to be
magnanimous for he proved to be the
pitching hero OF the championship
series. During the five games just
completed Plank has pitched two
games. losing the second OF the series
to Mathewson by to score.
When the two veteran twirlers faced
each other for the second time to-day,
the pitching stood: Plank. hits and
Tonight the figures read: Plank.
hits and runs; Mathewson, II hits
and runs
It is peculiar coincidence that
whom this pair OF twirlcrs were just
slfpping past tho salad days Of their
big league career, they were called
upon to face each other In just such a
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