es.

"He's going up," sang out "Red" Curry.

"I knew he couldn't last," taunted Iredell, as he threw his cap in the
air.

But Alvarez was not through, by any means. Undaunted by that tremendous
home run which might have taken the heart out of any pitcher, he braced
himself, and the next two men went out on fouls.

"I thought we had them on the run that time," observed McRae, "but he's
got the old comeback right with him."

"Never mind," exulted Robbie. "We're beginning to find him now, and we've
cut down that big lead of theirs to one run. The boys will get after him
the next inning."

But even the lucky seventh passed without bringing any luck to the
visitors, and although the major leaguers got two men on bases in the
eighth, the inning ended with the score still three to two in favor of the
local club.

"Looks as though we were up against it," said Jim, anxiously, as the
Giants went to bat for the last time.

"It sure does," responded Joe. "I'll hate to look at the papers to-morrow
morning. The whole country will have the laugh on us."

"The boys will want to keep away from McRae if they lose," said Jim.
"He'll be as peeved as a bear with a sore head for the next three days or
so."

"Now, Larry, show them where you live," sang out Curry, as the head of the
Giant batting order strode to the plate.

"Kill it," entreated Willis. "Hit it on the seam."

"Send it a mile," exhorted Becker.

It was not a mile that Larry sent it, but it looked so to the left and
center fielders who chased it as it went on a line between the two. A
cleaner home run had probably never been knocked out on the Denver
grounds.

Larry came galloping in to be mauled and pounded by his exulting mates,
while McRae brought down his hand on Robbie's knee with a force that made
that worthy wince.

"That ties it up," he cried. "Now, boys, for a whirlwind finish!"

CHAPTER XI

A CLOSE CALL

The crowds in the stand, which had been uproarious a few moments before,
were quiet now. The lead which the local club had held throughout the game
had vanished; the visitors had played an uphill game worthy of their
reputation, and now they had at least an even chance.

Denton came to the bat, eager to emulate Larry's feat, but Alvarez was
unsteady now--that last home run had taken something out of him. He found
it hard to locate the plate, and Denton trotted down to first on balls.

As no man was out and only one run was needed to ga