"Aw, nothing so much! This light bothers me, or I'd have hit for a three-sacker, believe me!"
Riordan smiled, but he did little better. He hit, but the next man flied out. Rad was up next and hit a twisting grounder that just managed to evade the shortstop, putting Rad on first and advancing Riordan.
But that was the end. The next man was neatly struck out, and a goose-egg went up in St. Louis's frame.
"Got to get 'em, boys," announced the manager grimly, as the team went to the field.
Cooney did not allow a hit that inning, but he was pounded for two when he was on the mound again, St. Louis in the meanwhile managing to get a run, through an error.
"Say, this is some little team," declared Boswell admiringly.
"I told you they were," replied the manager. "I want to see our boys work."
And work they had to.
The best pitcher in the world has his off days, and the best pitcher in the world may occasionally be pounded, as Slim Cooney was hit that day. How it happened no one could say, but the Nippers began to slide ahead, chiefly through hard hitting and excellent pitching.
"This won't do," said Manager Watson as the sixth inning saw the score tied. "Matson, go out and warm up. I'm going to see what you can do. I'm taking a chance, maybe; but I'll risk it."