New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-24
Ponder Blanks
RObbie's Grew
By l-to-O Score
Pirates Twirler Has Edge
ON Big Jeff Pfeffer in
Thrilling Pitchers Duel
BY Ray Mccarthy

Ebbets field from Pittsburgh yester-
day, grabbed ball game and bag
full Of silver and did q doublequick
back to the Smokey City to complete
the series with the Dodgers. Pitts
burgh's to 0 victory yesterday puts
the two mines on even terms for to-
days meeting.
The fact that the Pirate crew are
leading the pack and that the pennant
season drew forth another large batch
Of rabid rooters. despite the frosty
atmospheric conditions prevailing. Not
having seen their prides for two
weeks the Brooklynites were right on
edge to give three lusty cheers.
The spectators saw a snappy tussle,
because both mines hustled and fought
hard all the way for the victory. Each
side pressed the attack from the out
set, and when two teams are constantly
on their toes and working conscien-
tiously for the game. there are never
any idle moments. That is the reason,
that, although the issue was chiefly a
pitchers duel between Big Jeff
Pfeffer and Ponder, there was not the
languidness about the setto that gen
orally marks hurting struggle.
Ponder an "Ace" for Pirates
Ponder, the flying "ace," proved an
ace for George Gibson and his crew
yesterday. He twirled in mastery
style and deserved his win. However,
in the point Of pitching quality Pfeffer
was not far behind. He gave fine
exhibition also and kept the eight hits
of the visitors we'll scattered. But he
WAS crowded bit harder than Ponder
by his opponents who threatened fire.
through. Moreover, some stupid play
ing helped Pfeffer materially.
1t is hard to determine why so many
major league managers are so averse
to playing the sacrifice to make runs.
But the fact remains that many of
them seldom use it, preferring to
gather their TALES ~ the run and hit
mode of play, when it is quite evident
that a judicious use Of the combine
tion Of the two scoring methods would
enable several teams we know Of to
win more often. Had the Pirates
adopted different tactics yesterday
hard for their triumph. For instance,
Ponder got a double in the third with
mons out, and remained on second
base because the three batters follow
ing employed the full swing Of the
mace. Whitfield. first up in the fourth,
singled. The score was nothing to
nothing. The following batter tried
to bring his teammate home from that
base and struck out in the attempt.
And then In the seventh. with Cut
shaw on third by virtue Of q single
and two stolen bases and Grimm on
first, with one out and the teams still
tied, Schmidt crossed everybody up,
including the peanut vendors, by bunt-
ing high, swift pitch in an attempted
squeeze, and Cutshaw was thrown out
at the plate, killing Pittsburgh's
chances for that period also. That
kind of baseball will never keep the
Pirates at the top.
Pirates Score In Ninth
But in the ninth the Smoky City lads
went about scoring with some sort of
system and got over. Whitfield, first
up, just escaped the fate of young
Wilson Fewster when he dropped like
a flash in avoiding one of Pfeffer's fast
ones. AS it was, his hat was grazed,
and he gained his base thereby. He
advanced on Nicholson's sacrifice, and,
after Cutshaw had grounded out,
Grimm, who looks like a second Hal
Chase, smashed a liner over Wards
head, scoring Whitfield with the only
run of the game.
The locals found Ponder hard man
to hit. This slender chap looked great
on the mound yesterday. His control
was the best shown in these parts this
season. He cut the corners as finely
as Alexander or Johnson ever did, and
his fast ball carried across the plate
with hop that was as big as jump.
q IN
made in the third inning were Of lit
lie avail because of fast fielding.
With one out, Elliott lofted a high
fly back of shcrtstop. Cation went back
for the pill, but failed to catch it, and
Carey whipped the bail to Cutshaw in
time to nail Elliott, who was trying for
4 double.
The score: