Well, the matchup between Welch and Clarkson turned out to be the game of the year, but not for the reason I suspected. A highly touted pitchers' duel evaporated after just three batters, when Cap Anson homered off of Clarkson to give the Haymakers a 2-0 lead. Another run in the second made it 3-0, and Clarkson was looking shaky.
Welch, meanwhile, was dealing. Through three innings he had allowed only one baserunner, and that man was quickly erased on a double play. It was shaping up to be another superlative performance for a pitcher who was looking more and more likely to win his second straight Pitcher MVP trophy. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Welch was hoping for another one-two-three inning, especially considering that fellow hurler Clarkson was up. What did Welch throw to Clarkson? Strat-O-Matic accurately simulates strikeouts, walks, and other outcomes, but it doesn't specify particular types of pitch. I imagine it was a curveball that didn't have quite enough bite, or a changeup that came in slow and fat over the plate. In any case, Clarkson whipped his bat around and connected.
Gone.
For the first time in over four-and-a-half seasons of play -- a total of 158 games, including regular season and playoffs -- a pitcher had hit a home run. Clarkson rounded the bases to the jubilant ovation of Resolutes fans who haven't had a lot to cheer about in their inaugural season. Even Welch must've tipped his cap.
Clarkson didn't allow another run, but Welch didn't either. Amos Rusie, the Haymakers' hard-throwing closer, came on to pitch a scoreless ninth and secured the 3-1 victory. For the Haymakers, it was just another win that continued to increase their enormous lead in the standings. For the Resolutes, it was another chapter in the growing legend of John Clarkson, the heart and soul of this young team.
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