HOODSPORT, Wash. -- The Hoodsport Raspberries shelled the American Century League's top pitcher, handcuffed it's best offense, and saw a key Portland Beaver go down to injury as they won the opening game of the Century League World Series 12-0 at before a wildly giddy capacity crowd at Cushman Park.

Razzie ace Wilbur Cooper, the National Century League's top winner at 19-10 and ERA runner-up at 3.53, blanked Portland on just three singles. He walked one and struck out six, and did not allow a Beaver runner to reach second base.

Behind him, his mates routed Walter Johnson, 21-8 and 3.40 during the regular season and the likely ACL Cy Young Award winner. Hoodsport scored four off Johnson in the bottom of the first, and finally drove him to the showers in the fifth. By that time, they had logged eight runs, seven earned, against the Portland ace, more than enough for Cooper on this day.

While the defeat was crushing it was only one game. The loss of Cobb may prove more costly. Cobb, the fiery competitor, crashed into the center field wall chasing Jim Bottomley's drive in the bottom of the sixth. The ball eluded Cobb and Bottomley wound up on third with a triple, while the outfielder crumpled to the warning track with a sprained knee.

Things began promisingly enough for Portland. Eddie Collins hit Cooper's first pitch into center field for a single. Beaver manager Hughie Jennings called for a hit-and-run, but Cobb could not put the ball in play and Hoodsport catcher Gabby Hartnett threw Collins out at second base. Cobb and Napoleon Lajoie then flied out to end the first.

Hoodsport got to Johnson immediately. Kiki Cuyler led off the bottom of the first inning with an infield single. Wilbert Robinson put Cuyler in motion and Frank Frisch grounded a single through the hole at second base, sending Cuyler on to third. Rogers Hornsby drew a walk, and the bases were loaded with nobody out.

Johnson almost got out of the jam. He struck out Hack Wilson looking and Bottomley swinging, but with two down Chick Hafey rifled a single into right field to plate Cuyler and Frisch. Hartnett followed with a double over Cobb's head in center, plating Hornsby and Hafey. Johnson walked Pie Traynor intentionally, then struck out Cooper to end the inning, but it was 4-0 Hoodsport.

Joe Jackson led off the Portland second with a single, but Cooper then proceeded to retire 15 consecutive Beaver batters until Bobby Veach, in for the injured Cobb, walked to lead off the seventh. Wally Schang singled with one out in the eighth, and that was the extent of the Portland offense against Cooper.

Meanwhile, the Raspberries piled it on. They scored two in the third on a walk to Hafey and doubles by Hartnett and Traynor. Hornsby led off the fourth with a double and eventually scored on a passed ball by Schang. Traynor's homer in the fifth drove Johnson from the game. They scored four off Jim Scott in the sixth on two-run homers by Wilson and Hafey.

"Nobody gave us much of a chance in this series," spat Hoodsport manager Robinson after the game. "I think we showed 'em we could play with these guys."

The loss of Cobb is a big one for the Beavers. The Georgia Peach hit .322 with 26 homers, 34 doubles and four triples during the regular ACL season. He led the club in scoring with 123 runs, and drove in 77.

Jennings said he'd have several options for replacing Cobb in the lineup. Most likely is Sam Crawford, who batted .305 with 12 home runs during the regular season. Jennings said he might try Joe Wood in the outfield against southpaw pitchers, or perhaps start Stuffy McInnis (.301-10-60) at first base and play Lajoie in the outfield.

"We didn't win no 107 games because we was a one-man team," growled Jennings. "We'll be OK. We hope to get Ty back before this thing's over." Cobb's sprain is relatively mild. Jennings hopes he can play during games 3-5 in Portland, but the club's doctors are thinking it's more likely he'd be able to play in about a week if the series returns to Hoodsport for game six.

Cobb hobbled around on crutches in the clubhouse after the game, and swung one of them at reporters who asked about his knee.

Uncle Robby will send Art Nehf to the mound for game two tomorrow. Nehf went 12-8 with a 4.10 ERA during the regular season. Jennings will counter with Chief Bender, who was 17-7 and led the ACL in ERA at 2.90. In addition, Bender batted .347 and hit eleven homers.