The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-07-28
SPORTS
RUDE Robinson's Work Cost
BdrOns First Game of Series
Traveller Southpaw Hurs Fine and Doubles Scoring
Only Markers-Ponders Work Consistent With Exception
of the Eghth-Great Catch Robs Barons in the Ninth
by FRED BoDEKER

Rube Robinson, the eccentric
southpnw of the Little Rock Tray-
elers, held the Barons to four
scattered hits yesterday in the
opening game of the five-game
series and besides doubled to CEN
ter with the blow which scored the
runs which defeated the local ag-
gregatiOn, to o. The star left
handler of the visitors was accord
ed excellent support in the PEACHES
and this alone saved him from de-
feat.
IT was great catch in right field by
Howard Baker, with two men on bases
and one down in the ninth that pre-
vented the visitors from being nosed out
in the final stanza. Mark Milligan, the
new hurler, was sent in to pinch hit He
drove a long fly to the right field fence
Baker caught the ball standing against
the fence.
The game was a brilliant affair from
the start Each pitcher worked out of
numerous holes, especially the Traveller
southpaw. Elmer Ponder twirled con-
sistent ball and with the exception of
the eighth inning, when three successive
hits tailed the lone twS markers.
PONDER SCORED UPON
Ponder went into the game with three
straight victories to his credit. He had
not been scored upon IN the past % in
nings. He held the Travellers scoreless
for seven rounds which gives him a sea-
son record of 80 consecutive sessions
The Barons had numerous chances to
time to prevent the plate from being
crossed. Each team had a runner thrown
out at the plate
The game was thriller, chiefly be-
cause runners were always being caught
on the paths. A bit OF great fielding
intermingled also placed the game on a
standard seldom equaled.
ROBINSON DELIVERS
1t was the eighth stanza before the
plate was crossed. Buzzy Wares opened
with a single to left. Chapman lifted a
Texas Lacquer to center. Ellis made a
great effort to get the ball but he
trapped it. Wares racing to third. Rube
made great play as it was. Portwheeler
Rube Robinson, after taking two strikes,
stepped into one of Ponders fast balls
Wares and Chapman scored, while RUDE
halted at second. The next three men
were retired on flies to the outfielders
The Travellers had a good chance to
score in the second. Covington walked
as starter and Stutz singled sharply to
left. Barney forced Covington at third
on his attempted sacrifice. Wares forced
Barney at second, Stutz taking third
Stutz was thrown out at the plate on
the attempted double steal.
In the fifth Barney singled, but was
out stealing. With one down in the sixth
Robinson singled and Manning was safe
when Southworth dropped his long fly.
Baker forced Manning at second and
Kirkhams long foul fly was converted
into sensational catcA by Southy. Cow
ington was safe on Sheehans error in
the seventh, but was out stealing. In
the ninth Barney doubled with two out,
but Wares popped out.
SOUTHY OUT AT PLATE
In the second Webb and Sheehan
walked in succession with two outs, but
Red Smith couldn't deliver In the fourth
Coombs was safe on Wares error. He
was forced at second by Southy, who
advanced to the keystone on Ellis in
field out. Bill Webb hit grounder to
Wares and the Traveller boss booted it,
Southy was thrown out at the plate at
tempting to score.
Johnston led the sixth off with double
to the right field fence. Coonnbs hunted
and Doc was caught in a chase. He was
finally tagged out after Coombs reached
second. Southy hit grounder to Stutz
and Coombs was caught at third. Southy
stole second but Ellis popped out.
Webb walked as a starter in the sew
enth and was safe at second when he
beat Robinson's throw on Sheehan's sac
rifice. Smith and Pioneer skied out and
Mcdonald struck out to end the round
In the eighth, Southy singled with two
out but was never advanced.
Bill Webb was passed again in the
ninth as starter. Les Sheehan struck
out. Red Smith cracked a single to left.
Milligan, batting for Ponder, drove a
long fly to right which Baker converted
into a great catch Webb advanced to
third. Eddie Mcdonald popped to Chap
man to end the game. Bakers catch pre-
vented the score from being tied, for had
the ball fell safe, both Webb and Smith
could have scored easily.
That Birmingham had nine men left on
Eases shows how effective Robinson was