Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-27
ALEX COMES NEAR
BREAKING RECORD
HELD BY MATTY
Nebraskan Pitches Only 72'
Balls in Retiring Pi-
rates Yesterday
AFTER EARNED-RUN MARK
Bv CHANDLER D. RICHTER

By CHANDLER D. RICHTER
Many of the fans at the Philly Park
yesterday commented upon the fast time
of the first game, but few realized just
why the contest was completed in one
hour and 22 minutes. This is an unusually
fast game, particularly when one considers
the one-sided score and the fact that "a
hits were made by the two teams
II the fans had known the real cause of
the fast time or Alexander the Great had
been reminded of 1t along about the seventh
inning, a new worlds record for the num-
ber OF balls pitched in retiring a team for
nine innings would have been broken by the
Phllly star In the nine innings of the first
game yesterday. Alexander pitched exactly
72 balls which Is four above the record
made by Chrsty Mathewson In 1911.
When one considers that Alexander was
found for 10 hits and eased up in the clos
ing innings of the game, this near-record Is
one of the most remarkable pitching feats
in years. Had 1t not been for the fact that
he eased up in the seventh, eighth and ninth
innings after having been given seven-run
lead, IL Is virtually certain that new mark
would have been made.
About six weeks ago Alexander retired
the side for nine innings on 76 balls, but
that game was close and the Nebraskan
could take no chances, whereas yesterday
he started the seventh inning careessly, is
suing his only pass of the game, and in the
last three sessions the Philly star pitched
almost as many balls as in the first six.
Six Great Innings
In the first six innings Alexander pitched
only 81 balls, while in the last three he
pitched 35. Two lightning double-plays.
both resulting from the first ball pitched,
and a runner caught stealing aided Alex
ander greatly In the early innings, but later
in the game when he eased up he was in
clined to waste too many pitches,
The balls pitched by Alexander during
the nine innings follows: First inning, 4
second inning, 8 third inning, 7 fourth In
ming, 4 fifth inning, n sixth inning. g.
seventh inning Is eighth inning. II ninth
inning, 6. Total, ~.
Almost every batter was swinging at and
generally hitting the first or second ball
pitched in the early innings. and probably
would have continued to do so IL Alexander
had gotten 1t over the plate in the late
innings The wonderful streak was broken
in the seventh inning when ALEX" pitched
six balls in giving Bill Hinchman his base
on balls.
Four balls were pitched to Farmer the
next batter, who struck out while Costello
took two strikes before grounding to Stock.
Fortunately for Alexander's near-record,
Johnston and Schmidt hit the first ball
pitched. the former getting single while
the latter forced him by rolling to Ban
croft.
The eighth was another poor inning
Schultz, batting In place of Adams. hit the
second ball pitched to Paskert while Baird
singled on the fourth pitch. Carey and
Wagner then took cut at the first ball.
the former getting his second hit while the
grand old veteran forced Baird at third
Hinchman again proved troublesome in
dlvidual and Alexander pitched six balls
TO him before he grounded 10 Nlehoh.
Alexander pitched fourteen balls TO
Hinchman on his four trips to the plate,
which is a greater number than he threw
TO any other pair OF batsmen. IL Hinehman
had not been walked on one occasion and
fouled on three pitches on the other, Il Is
reasonably certain that the unique record
made by Matty would have been broken
Alex Near Another Record
Alexander Is well satisfied with his DAYS
work, however. as he succeeded In winning
his nineteenth victory Of the season ana in
allowed but one run which was
not earned. The Phllly star does not in |
tend to extend himself too much IN easy |
games but he has his heart set upon turn |
Ing IN another record which viii Be oIiclalIy /
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