New-York tribune., 1919-07-24

Alex the Great
A Big Puzzle
To Flatbushers
Star Pitcher of Chicagos
at His Best, and Douglas,
Too, Mows Down Robins

The Chicago Cubs skidded to two
victories over the Brooklyn Dodgers
yesterday afternoon on tho slippery
and water-soaked soil of Ebbets Field.
The Robins were blanked in both con-
tests by 3 to and to scores. Sew
eral thousand fans saw the whitewash-
ing.
In the opening game yesterday the
fans get full value for their money.
Being concerned in the welfare of the
Giants, little tip here might not be
amiss. and who knows but it may help
them? The Chicago Cubs are going to
have something to say about the win
ming of the pennant That stalwart
pitching staff has virtually rounded to
form, with Grover Cleveland Alexander
scheduled to play the leading part
from now on. Alex is ripe, judging
from his work yesterday, which means
danger ahead for the New Workers.
A week ago Alexander went to the
mound at Boston after long lay-off
and showed much Of his old-time form,
winning easily. Yesterday he had
everything he ever owned, which means
that the local team had little chance
to break into the win column. He had
speed to waste, as sharp a breaking
curve as was every invented and nifty
control
Game Quickly Played
Aided by Mamaux, who also pitched
an excellent game, the two teams ran
off the first contest of eleven innings
inside Of an hour and forty minutes.
One of the big factors in Chicago's
first victory was Charlie Hollocher, the
dlmlnutive shortstop of the Cubs, who
amazed the natives by the manner in
which he gobbled everything in the
short-field. Charles saved the day
several times for the visitors, but par
ticularly in the tenth, when Brooklyn
threatened most seriously.
Up to the tenth neither team was al
lowed much of a chance to get near
the plate, but in this period Robbe's
men should have won, as they had a
royal chance. Wheat reached second
when Mann and Magee let his wallop
fall between them for a safety. Myers
sent him to third with bunt.
Schmandt raped grasser to Pick,
who felded it we'll enough but Jug
gled for moment before hurting. to
the plate.
Nevertheless, the throw was in Kille-
fer's hands before Wheat neared the
plate. The Brooklyn captain, noticing
tnlS, dafCed pack toward the third bag,
only to be quickly run down. Perhaps
the mire retarded Zach, as he started
for home, but something certainly was
wrong that he never tailed Hol-
locher speared Wards sharp groundcr
for the third out and the danger was
past.
Chicago promptly took advantage of
this break to grab the victory Flack
singled and was sacrificed onward by
Hollocher. He scored from second on
Magees hit after Merkle had been re-
tired and Pick had strolled. Deal
doubled, scoring Magee. Pick counted
on the same hit, taking advantage of
Wheat's slowness in throwing the ball
in to dash home. Brooklyn did nothing
in its half.
Burleigh Grimes Wild
Burlcigh Grimes and Shutting Phil
Douglas opposed each other on the
mound in the second contest, which
was featured by the numerous "slidcs"
perpetrated. Grimes helped to hurl
his own game out of the lot by wild
pitching to the bases, as we'll as to
the batters. Burleigh was hit hard.
too, in the seventh for the final three
runs and was replaced by Sherrod
Smith, who checked further scoring.
Douglas held Brooklyn safe at ali
stages.
The scores: