A hush fell on the crowd, and then somebody started the clapping, which was rather generous.
“Say, that catcher can throw!” cried a man on the bleachers. “Bet you don’t steal many bags on him to-day.”
The first man was out, and the Reds had been taught a lesson they would not fail to profit by. They had found that Hodge was a beautiful thrower, so that it was dangerous to try to steal.
“Hard luck, old man,” said several of the players, as Jones came in. “But he got you, all right.”
“And I thought I had a good start, too,” said Jones. “I’d bet my shirt I had that bag.”
One ball had been called on Frank. He tried a high one next time, and another ball was called.
Then Davis fouled, which caused the umpire to call a strike on him.
“Put another in the same place,” invited the batter.
Frank seemed to accommodate him, and Davis cracked it out, driving it past Carson, who did not touch it.
Another base-hit had been made off Merry.