DICK RUDOLPH

THE 1914 "MIRACLE" BRAVES
The Braves play a great game but don't win or lose

May 12, 1914 ... The Braves Western invasion started today in Pittsburgh with a great battle, until umpire Bill Klem looked up at the skies, saw the gathering clouds, and called off the remainder of the game. That happened in the 10th inning with the score tied 1 to 1.

It was a pitcher's battle between Wilbur Cooper, the young left-hander for Pittsburgh, and Dick Rudolph for the Braves. The Pirates hitters were like putty in Rudolph's hands. About 4500 loyal rooters stayed through the threatening weather to get a glimpse of the Braves and a great game at Forbes Field.

Rudolph tried to win the game all by himself and he nearly succeeded, for had it not been for the mistake by Leslie Mann in trying for second base on an ordinary single, the game would have been won. Rudolph started the trouble for the Pirates himself, in the sixth inning when he singled to right. He went to second on a sacrifice by Johnny Evers and scored when Oscar Dugey, who batted for Wilson Collins, came up with a clean single.

Cooper had Boston at his mercy after that, and he himself tied the score. He's one of those pitchers who very seldom gets his bat on the ball. But in the sixth inning, he singled to center, and after reaching second on an infield out, came home when Max Carey hit the ball to right for a triple, tying the score at one each. Rabbit Maranville then saved the game for the Braves by running down the left-field line and making a great catch of a Texas leaguer for the third out.

Both teams then settled down and carefully worked each other for the rest of the game, for one more run could have won it. Pittsburgh never had a chance, but the Braves looked dangerous in the 10th. After Bert Whaling had gone out, Mann singled to left, and thinking the ball got by leftfielder streaked for second base. He was unfortunately nailed at the bag on a splendid throw from Carey. Rudolph's long fly ball was then dropped by Joe Kelly in center field, letting Dick stop at second base where he stayed.

By this time the weatherman did not cooperate, and great rumblings of thunder were heard coming close to the ballpark. So umpire Klem hurried the Pirates through their half of the 10th and called it moments before the darkness and the rain descended on the ballpark. It was a heavy electrical storm and the crowd was forced to stay at the ballpark for an hour.

The Braves are on their way to Cincinnati tonight with a confident state of mind, coming off an excellent game.