Season 5 Championship, Game 2

The Blue Legs came out swinging early and often against Mickey Welch in Game 2. In the top of the first, speedy leadoff man Billy Hamilton singled, stole second, and later scored on a base knock by Big Dan Brouthers. Welch prevented any further damage, but it was clear from the get-go that the Legs were ready to pounce. They nearly scored again in the second when Ned Hanlon -- filling in for the injured Bobby Wallace -- muffed a scorcher from Hughie Jennings. Welch bailed him out, but the episode underscored the vital importance of the Haymakers' shortstop. The Legs did, however, strike again in the fifth when Jimmy Collins doubled to start the inning and scored on Hamilton's single to make it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

It was all Blue Legs at this point, because Old Hoss Radbourn was absolutely carving up the Haymakers' batsmen. Although regular season and playoff innings don't mix when it comes to setting records, Radbourn had soon surpassed two dozen frames since the last time he had allowed a run. His defining moment came in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded and slugging outfielder Jesse Burkett at the dish. Radbourn induced a weak grounder that killed the Haymakers' rally and gave the Legs confidence that they would return home with the series tied at one game apiece.

That confidence was, perhaps, premature. The next inning, with two on and one out, Deacon White singled home Cap Anson to cut the Legs' lead in half. Radbourn had thrown 25 consecutive scoreless innings between the regular season and playoffs -- technically not a record, but a monumental achievement nonetheless. In an interesting twist of fate, it was none other than Deacon White who had snapped John Clarkson's 21-inning regular-season scoreless streak earlier in the year. The next batter, Hanlon, hit a long drive over Sam Crawford's head in center to plate Roger Bresnahan. The score was now tied at 2, but not for long. Bid McPhee singled to bring home White, and in a matter of moments Radbourn had gone from a shutout to a one-run deficit.

In the top of the seventh, Radbourn was lifted for a pinch hitter when the Blue Legs had a runner on third and only one out, but they failed to score. Al Spalding came in to retire the Haymakers in order in the bottom of the frame, and then the Legs got to Welch in the eighth. King Kelly singled to score Nap Lajoie and tie the game at 3. Later in the inning, Collins doubled home two more runs to make it 5-3.

The Haymakers could muster nothing against Spalding, who tossed three scoreless innings to pick up the win. Welch pitched all nine in the loss. Now the scene shifts to the Blue Legs' home turf for Game 3, and this series all tied up!