“And he’s thinking all the time,” chimed in Jim.
But the peril was not yet over. The man at the most dangerous corner had been disposed of, yet there was still a man on first and another on second. A safe hit would tie the game at least, and possibly win it.
Joe wound up deliberately and shot a high fast one over the plate. It came so swiftly that the batter did not offer at it, and looked aggrieved when the umpire called it a strike.
The next was a crafty outcurve which went as a ball. The batsman fouled off the next.
With two strikes on and only one ball called, Joe was on “easy street” and could afford to “waste a few.” Twice in succession he tempted the batsman with balls that were wide of the plate, but the batter was wary and refused them.
Now the count was “two and three,” and the crowd broke into a roar.
“Good eye, old man!” they shouted to the batter.
“You’ve got him in a hole!”
“It only takes one to do it!”
“He’s got to put it over!”