Here we go! The first-place Haymakers hosted Game 1 of this best-of-five series, sending ace Mickey Welch to the mound. The Resolutes countered with two-time Pitcher MVP John Clarkson.
It was the visiting Resolutes who drew first blood. After a scoreless opening frame, Fred Clarke tripled in the top of the second and scored on a Frank Grant groundout.
The home team struck back in the bottom of the fourth. Cap Anson led off the inning with a single. Sam Thompson flied out, bringing up catcher Roger Bresnahan. The veteran backstop crushed Clarkson's offering for a two-run homer, giving the Haymakers a 2-1 edge. It was the fourth postseason home run of Bresnahan's career, moving him past teammate Thompson for the most in league history.
In the top of the fifth, however, the Resolutes struck back with a bomb of their own. With two outs and the bases empty, shortstop Hughie Jennings, certainly not known for his power, hammered a Welch mistake for his first playoff dinger. Now the game was knotted at two runs apiece.
Bresnahan singled to open the bottom of the sixth. With one out, shortstop Bobby Wallace tripled to bring the catcher home. Welch helped his own cause with a run-scoring single a moment later, and heading into the late innings it was 4-2 Haymakers.
Both pitchers cruised through the seventh and eighth. Welch got two quick outs in the top of the ninth, looking to wrap up a complete-game victory. There was a brief moment of drama when Pete Hill hit a long drive that was misplayed by center fielder Joe Kelley, giving the Resolutes a fleeting hope. With the tying run at the plate, Jennings hit a soft liner to Wallace to end the game.
Game 1 goes to the Haymakers! Game 2, also at this venue, will feature Cy Young against Christy Mathewson. I'm already salivating over this match up of all-time greats!
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