Ralston was first at bat. He swung at the first one and missed. Then came two wide ones that Ralston, with good judgment, passed up, and they went as balls. The next he sent out toward right. It was a corking blow and had all the signs of a homer, but the wild cheer that rose from the stands died down when it fell foul by a matter of inches.
Ralston, who had already rounded first, came back grumbling and picked up his bat. The count was now three and two, and Rance was “in the hole.” Perhaps that colossal hit had shaken him somewhat, for the next one came up to the plate as big as a balloon and Ralston laced it out sharply between first and second. Naylor made a dive for it but could not reach, and the ball rolled out to center, where Maley retrieved it smartly and got it back to second in time to prevent Ralston from stretching the hit into a two-bagger.
Jackwell was next up and Joe ordered him to sacrifice. He made one or two ineffectual attempts, but finally laid down a baby bunt that Rance got in time to put Jackwell out at first. But it had accomplished its purpose, for Ralston was roosting on second.
Bowen made a mighty effort and poled out a long fly to center that Maley pulled down after a long run. As soon as the catch was made Ralston legged it for third and made it, though it was a close race between him and the ball that came on a beautiful line throw to Tonsten.
With two out and a man on third, it was up to Mylert to bring him in.
Twice he swung at the ball and missed. The next three were wide of the plate. Mylert bent down, rubbed his hands in the dirt, pulled his cap down closer and set himself for the next.
The mighty arm of Rance uncoiled and the ball sped toward the batsman. Mylert was crowding the plate for a long reach. At first it looked as though the ball was going wide of the rubber. But it curved in just as it neared the plate, and Mylert caught it on the end of his bat. There was a sharp crash and the ball darted like a bullet between second and short. It was the cleanest of clean hits and Mylert galloped to first while Ralston came down the third base chalkline and dented the rubber for the first run of the game.
A tremendous shout went up from the stands.
“We’ve got him going!”
“He’s cracking!”