Platz went back raging to the bench.
“Thought you said that fellow was all in,” he growled to his manager.
“Just a flash in the pan,” declared Elwood. “We’ll have him hollering for help before long.”
But Joe was not just then displaying any SOS signals. The next two men whiffed the air, as had their predecessor, and the hearts of the Pirates and their supporters sank into their boots as the third man in succession went out on strikes.
Robbie’s face was like a full moon and McRae was jubilant as Joe came in to the bench.
“Glory hallelujah!” exulted Robbie. “’Tis the same old Joe once more.”
“You can’t keep a squirrel on the ground!” exclaimed McRae. “That was demon pitching, Joe. But for the love of Pete, old boy, don’t throw your arm out.”
“No fear,” laughed Joe happily. “I feel as though I could pitch all day. I just wanted to throw a scare into them at the start.”
“You did that all right,” grinned Robbie. “Now throw another one into them by cracking out a homer.”