Edward Achorn

PROVIDENCE – Before a crowd of 1,158 at the Messer Street Grounds, “demon pitcher” Old Hoss Radbourn works again, however much his arm is crying out in pain.

Providence holds a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when Buffalo second baseman Hardie Richardson, Radbourn’s hunting pal, catches onto one of his pitches over the inside half of the plate and launches it over the left field fence for a home run.

But that is it for Buffalo’s scoring, while Providence batters go to work, pummeling the Bisons’ rookie right-hander Billy Serad.

There is an unsettling note for Providence fanatics when, with two out in the ninth inning, a foul tip blasts Barney Gilligan’s finger. The catcher is not injured severely enough to win the umpire’s permission to leave the game, however, and trades places with third baseman Jerry Denny, who dons the mask, stomach pad and gloves. After a passed ball, Denny settles down while Radbourn secures the third out on a grounder to second base.

The 10-1, nine-hit, seven-strikeout win is Radbourn’s forty-third of the season, his twentieth win in his last twenty-one decisions, and his fifteenth straight victory.

The Providence Grays have now won seventeen straight games, and hold a 5½-game lead over the defending champion Boston Beaneaters.

RADBOURN’S RECORD: 43-9

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