But in the meantime, the Pittsburghs were getting a little uneasy about the kind of pitching that Jim was sending across. His fast ball went so swiftly that the eye could scarcely follow it. He had perfect control, and the “hop” on the ball just before it got to the plate was working to perfection. The way he worked the corners of the plate was a revelation. And in the fourth inning, when he struck out the side on nine pitched balls, a ripple of applause was forced from the spectators, despite their desire to see the home team win.
“You’re going like a house afire, old man,” exclaimed Joe, as the Giants came in for their turn.
“That’s what he is,” agreed Robbie, who had overheard the remark. “But it won’t do any good unless our boys wake up and do something with their bats. That five run lead is bad medicine.”
It did not look any better to the Giants than it did to Robbie, and in the fifth inning they began to come to life. Dawley, for the first time, seemed to be a little shaky in his control. He passed Iredell and then tried to fool Burkett on a slow ball. But the latter timed it exactly and poled it out between left and center for a beautiful three-bagger. Iredell scored easily and a roar went up from the men in the Giants’ dugout as he crossed the plate.
“Here’s where we start a rally, boys!” cried Robbie. “Every man on his toes now. Here’s where we send this pitcher to the showers.”
Wheeler went to the plate with directions to sacrifice, which he did neatly by sending a slow roller to first, on which Burkett scored. Willis clipped out a liner to right, which was really only good for a single, but in trying to stretch it to a two baser he fell a victim at second. Then Larry came to the bat.
“Show them that your layoff hasn’t hurt your batting eye, Larry,” sang out McRae.
The first ball was wide, and Larry held his bat motionless. On the second offering he fouled off. The third was about waist high, and Larry swung at it. The ball soared off to right field and landed in the bleachers. It was a clean home run and Larry trotted easily around the bases, a broad grin on his good-natured Irish face.
“We’re finding him!” shouted McRae. “We’ve got him going! Now, Denton, put another one in the same place.”
Denton did his best, but it was not good enough. Dawley had tightened up and was sending the ball over the plate as though thrown from a catapult. Two strikes were called on Denton, and then he put up a fly just back of second which Baskerville caught in good style.