The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-08
BY CHARLES r.. MATHIsON.

BY CHARLES f. MATHIsON.
Although the Clevelands as team
batted 1903 in the American League
pennant race. as against .279 for the
Dodgers In the National League, the
Brooklyns' batting against the best
pitchers in the Cleveland team. one Of
whom led. the American League, has
made more hits in three games than
the mighty sluggers from the Forest
City have registered against the able
hurlers Of the Brooklyn team, without
doubt the best pitching staff of the
National League.
This fact might be construed rs evil
dence that the pitchers in the Anoeri-
can League are not so effective as
those of the National League. and that
the batting prowess of the Clevelands
has been overrated
AS a matter OF fact, performances In
shor; series of games should not be
considered too seriously but still the
Brooklyn pitchers in the games played
to date are doing exactly what hsy
were expected to do All except Mar
guard have pitched alright ball. and
the tall southpaw lost his game almost
entirely through the failure Of Honey to
take fly that he could easily have
caught and permitting Kilduff 70 try for
ball he had no chance OF catching.
Sherrod Smith yesterday not only fol-
lowed the good example set by Buregh
Grimes, Al Mamaux and Leon Galore.
but he improved on their performances.
True, Grimes scored a shutout, and
Smith would have done likewise but for
one of those rare occurrences. an error
by Zach Wheat. A two base hit by
Speaker In the third got away from
Wheat and rolled to the fence. permit
ting the leader of the Indians 10 score
the only run that Cleveland got. AZ
showing the esteem in which Wheat is
held, he was applauded when he walked
in.
Smith pitched magnifcently from start
TO finish, seeming as strong in the ninth,
when Evans. Wamby and Speaker all
went out at first on easy grounders, as
he was in the first. when he got the
heavy artillery of the Indians out at the
first station.
Five Reached First.
Only five men reached first In nine
Enthusiastically on a pass in the first.
due 10 a questionable strike called by
O'Day, Speaker on double in the fourth
Sewell on a pass and O'Neill on a single
IN the fifth and O'Nell on a single in
the eighth. Speaker was the only man
to get further than first.
With but two scattered singles and one
double. on which no run should have
been scored. Sherrod Smith unquestion-
ably pitched the best game of any of
the Dodger slabmen. He never was in
trouble once on his own account. and
was full OF vim and courage at the
close.
There was a quite general feeling that
the heavy end OF the Cleveland batting
order, which came to the plate In the
ninth, might make trouble IS a one run
lead is fragile thing when hard hitters
are at hand. Evans, who was first IN.
drove hard grounder to Jimmy Johns
ton and was out on a sharp. accurate
throw to Honey.
Wanlby then came ND and sent long
bounder to Olson. who shot the ball
TO first ahead of the runner
Then up to the plate sauntered the
mighty Speaker. and hush fell on
the throng akin to that when the great
Casey strobe TO the rubber.
II Speaker were to hit the ball over
the fence the score would be tied ana
t- Indians might then win In the |
tenth.
Inc toydi bToohlyn rams shuddered al /
the thought and held tight to their seats |
as Speaker rubbed his hands in the /
dirt and took grip on his war club.
Speakers Unconccrn.
AS showing the unconcern Of tho |
Cleveland slugger he spoke pleasantly
20 Miller. the Dodger catcher. after
which he glanced AT the outfieiders 10
see how far they were from the home
Plate. Then he planted his feet within \
the batsmen's lines, raised his great 4
club aloft and turned HIS eyes on
Smith. The pitcher returned 10 look
without wincng, and winding up shot
the ball towards the rubber. Umpire
O'Day said. Strike one" and the great
Speaker half turned his head with a
plying smile.
Speaker struck at the next ball and
missed IL for his second strike. M
which he gazed critically at the bust
ness end of his bat
Smiths next offering was outside and
Vas called g sail. With the count two
and one against him. Speaker drew
back his club and aimed a terrific blow
at the next ball
Timld fans closed their eyes, and
rembled as they heard the crack Of
ash against the horsehde.
But a joyful screech from those who
raw that the ball was shooting straight
toward. Olson brought everybody TO
.'attention." The shortstop clutched
the bounding spheriod and propelled IL
ktraight and true to Honey
Great Speaker had not struck out.
but the effect on the game was the
NaA