“Hold ’em down, Joe! Hold ’em down!” pleaded Gregory.
And Joe did. It was not easy work, for he was tired and excited from the auto run, and the close call he had had. But he pitched magnificently, and Clevefield’s last record at bat was but a single hit. No runs came in. Pittston had won the second game of the pennant series by one run. Narrow margin, but sufficient.
And what rejoicing there was! Joe was the hero of the hour, but his ovation was shared by Charlie Hall and the others who had done such splendid work. Pop Dutton did not play, much to his regret.
“Congratulations, old man,” said the Clevefield manager to Gregory. “That’s some little pitcher you’ve got there.”
“That’s what we think.”
“Is he for sale?”
“Not on your life.”
“Still, I think you’re going to lose him,” went on Clevefield’s manager.
“How’s that?” asked Gregory in alarm.
The other whispered something.