The Washington times., 1913-05-13
Griffmen Are Handicapped by
Having Nine Men Stranded,
But Annex Contest.
Bv SENATOR"

ST. LOUIS. Mo-, May 13.-That the
Grifmen can win a ball game
under a heavy handicap was shown
yesterday, when they nosed out
the Brownies, 9 to 0. and had nine run
ners left stranded on the paths Tor
want of the timely bingles- Had II not
been for the really stellar performance
of Sir Robert Groom on the mound
and with the willow. the two teams
might have been battling yet.
The string-bean hurler was in perfect
shape, breezing eight hitters. walking
only two, and not allowing a man TO
get beyond second base. In addition he
Griffmen by polling a triple up against
the gum sign on the left field barrier
and a double down along the left neld
foul line. He was a perfect hend at all
branches of the game. But then,
there's a reason
The chief of police, the head of :he
fire department. and the mayor or Belle
Vile, Ill. Sir Roberts natal place. occu-
pied a box in close juxtapositlon 10 tne
Griffmen's dugout and insisted on shak-
ing his hand between innings just Tor
luck. It brought II all right.
Groom Realized 1t.
Apparently to win a ball game these
DAYS, a pitcher has to pitch alright
ball. Sir Robert realizes this fully.
Judging from his superior work yester-
day. The warm weather. pleasing to
ali the boys, was doubly pleasing to the
stringbean finger. 1t loosened up his
wondrous curve and added ginger to
his fast ones.
AS a result he held the Browns in
the hollow Of his hand at every point
during the contest. Only once did they
manage to get two runners on the path
at the same time. Only two landed at
second and one was on hearty clout to
the right field barrier. Boys, Sir Robert
produced the goods. that's all, and
couldn't help winning.
The work of the Climbers was wretch.
ed. except in the field. They displayed
little speed on the cushions, and couldn't
hit a lick. Roy Mitchell. said to be a
pitcher in this mans town, stood there
on the mound all day and simply wished
the ball toward the plate. His curve
was positively funny and speed. say.
he had none, yet he had the Griffmen
swinging like maniacs and missing or
popping up easy flies for the infielders
Though winning. the Griffmen had
little OF which to be proud after the
last man had retired. Nine chances
were lost to make runs through in
ability to land on the ball for Keeps.
Instead OF two runs. the team shonld
have made at least seven or eight.
But the sturdy clout in the pinch never
arrived and the Old Fox Is praying for
Gandirs speedy recovery. The big first
baseman was hitting that pill when
forced to retire.
Fielding Was Poor.
In the first game the fielding was
poor. Therefore, at yesterday mornings
curtain lecture, in the managers room
the Old Fox said several burning things
tc his assembled athletes. The result
was an errorless afternoon for the
climbers. John Henry. rejoicing at
chance to get into a game. pulled down
a couple Of foul flies after long gailops
in faultless style. Ray Morgan ana
George Mcbride opened the eyes OF the
small throng by stellar stops and quick
recoveries. Danny Moeller showed
speed and accuracy in getting over the
sod for Pratt's hard drive In the ninth.
indeed, il looked like another ball team
The game was won in the second ses-
sion, and largely by Sir Robert Groom
himself. After two mad perisheo' '"e