[Big Six]

Boston Globe, September 21, 1916

MATTY KEEPS BOSTON HOPES ALIVE
Veteran Twirler Outduels Alexander and Detroits, 4-3


BOSTON—Yesterday morning, with the hopes of the Boston Red Sox for a chance to defend their World Series championships on the verge of vanishing, veteran moundsman Christy Mathewson approached manager Jimmy Collins and made a simple request.

“Give me the ball today,” Matty said.

Mathewson wanted the opportunity to face Tigers star Grover Cleveland Alexander and keep the Sox’ chances in the American League pennant chase alive, and Collins, sensing the veteran’s determination, agreed to Matty’s request.

Several hours later, the determination of the twirler and the judgment of his manager were rewarded, as a ninth-inning rally lifted the Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Tigers.
Had the Detroiters prevailed, they would have increased their lead over the Red Sox to a formidable five full games, with the same number of games remaining to be played for each team.

Mathewson had been pulled from the Red Sox starting rotation earlier in the summer, after a prolonged slump in which batters were making easy, hard contact with his slants. Young Ray Collins stepped in and pitched extremely well, giving Boston fans hope not only for this season, but for the years to come.

However, as September rolled around with the defending champions unable to close the gap, Manager Collins made a somewhat unorthodox move. He once again began giving Mathewson a regular turn on the mound, which created a rotation of five Boston pitchers. Promptly, the Sox gained some ground, until a late surge by the relentless Bengals created the situation that now occurs.

Mathewson has won each of his three September starts, none more dramatically than yesterday’s. The Sox took an early lead with two runs in the third inning, the second coming when Matty himself singled home right fielder Ernie Walker.

The Tigers scored their first run in the top of the sixth frame, only to see the hometowners match it when Harry Hooper lashed one of his three singles, chasing Pat O’Farrell, who had singled and stolen second, across the dish. O’Farrell also had three hits on the afternoon, and the swiped sack was his 69th of the season.

The Detroit men then demonstrated why they are atop the standings, refusing to fold their tents and touching the tiring Matty for single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to tie the score at three runs apiece. That set the stage for the fateful final half-inning.

Tris Speaker led off, and pushed a soft line drive into right field for a single. O’Farrell sacrificed him to second, and with Hooper, who had hit Alexander hard all day, on deck, the Tigers elected to face Bill Carrigan instead of intentionally walking him to set up a force or double play opportunity.

Carrigan hit a routine ground ball to shortstop, but the ball glanced off Donie Bush’s glove and rolled into short left field. Speaker, running hard all the way, tore around third and raced homeward, catching Red McDermott, who had replaced Harry Heilmann in left for the Tigers, off guard. McDermott’s hurried throw was a fraction too late to nab Speaker, who slid across the plate with the winning run, cueing the Boston rooters to storm the Fenway Park diamond in jubilation.

Despite the stalwart efforts of the Red Sox, the Tigers remain three games in front, and the two teams face each other once again today. Ray Fisher will pitch for the Tigers, and Joe Wood will take the mound for the Sox. Both men have won twenty-five games this season, and both have been throwing particularly well recently.

The largest crowd of the year will be expected at Fenway Park for this classic contest. Extra police will be on hand at the grounds to maintain order, and all those who do not hold tickets for the game are advised to avoid traveling to the vicinity of the grounds. Electric scoreboards will be erected at the Globe office and at several other locations so that rooters may follow the action there.