“Two strikes!”
“Got him in a hole, Nes!” was the cry.
Nesbitt ventured to waste a ball, but Browning did not bite at it. The next one would have to be over, or a run might be forced in.
Frank had decided that Nesbitt was a heady pitcher in a tight place, and he began to fear that Browning would not prove equal to the emergency.
Ready was taking a long lead off third at every pitch, resolved to go in the instant he found an opportunity.
Nesbitt held the ball as long as permissible, made sure every man was in the proper place, looked hard at Browning, then sent in one with a movement that seemed to indicate it would be very speedy.
Right there in that moment the professional twirler showed his brains and nerve, for the ball was a very slow one, sailing up to the plate like a wounded duck.
Browning was fooled completely, for he slashed at it far too soon, failing to hit it at all.
“You’re out!” declared the umpire, as the catcher held the ball.