Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-28
COMMENT ON THE GAME.

COMMENT ON THE GAME.
The improved work OF the Nationals yes
terday was so marked as to call forth COM
ment from the spectators on all sides. The
sort of ball they played would have
won every one of the st. Louis games.
And the cause? Well. Manager Cantllon
had the boys out at the park yesterday
morning for regular mid-season practice,
and the way they performed in the after
noon clearly demonstrates that Sir Joseph
knows a thing two. Joe is anxious to
make a good showing against Cleveland,
Detroit and the Athletics. and the chances
are that the morning practice will be con-
tinued from now until the end of the sea-
son. So many papers and many people
have been talking about the snap the lead
eTs will have when they strike Washington,
and as the eyes of the country will be
turned this way next week. Mr.. Cantillon
has been figuring on spelling the dope of the
wise guys If Re can Undue the players
with this same feeling there should be some
tall dOlngs at American League Park next
week.
Tom Hughes good right arm showed the
effects of the recent injury, but the let
down came sudden as to take the big
fellow by surprise. In the eighth inning
he had set down Clarke, HinChman and
Birmingham on strikes and it looked very
much Ike extra inning battle, as the
tail-enders were up against the pitching of
Thielman and a let down by Hughes didn't
Seem possible. 1t appeared as though the
rest up between innings took all the
strength out of the arm and the best
Hughes could do was to throw a straight
ball over the plate. But for fear of beng
called gutter Hughes would have walked
out of the box. but this is exactly what he
should have done nevertheless. No one
has ever questioned Hughes gameness in
the years he has been in the business and
he should have been plucky enough to call
on Manager Cantillon for help. Tom was
certainly the goods for eight innings and
the big fellow never looked better
Did you notice old sport Warner getting
into both games with his little bat and it
is to be deplored that he didn't have the
same opportunities to drive in runs in the
I.rst game that he had in the second. Jack
tore off three singles in the first game, but
they were all wasted. as no one could hit
behind him. Warner had his opportunities
in the second game and on both his bin
giles drove in a run. Jack also caught
bangup game behind both Hughes and
Falkenberg and his throwing to BASES
was all that could be asked for.
Clyde Milan is a modest little cuss and he
wouldn't take any credit TO himself for
making that great catch off Turner in the
fourth inning of the first game. The little
fellow made desperate run for the fly and
just as ii was going over his head he threw
up his left hand and pulled down the ball
The catch was SO awkward as to cause
CpnSltltldDle comment. as the play SIOulu
have been made with the right or ungoved
hand. Milan said after the game that he
thought the ball was surely going over his
head. but in pure desperation he threw up
his glOved hand, and when he found the
ball had stuck fast he was as much sur
prised as the spectators. The proper play
should have been with my right hand
said he. but 1t has been hurting me of
late and didn't want to take any chances
on njuring il further" All the same IL was
a great catch if it was lucky. and for that
matter the general run OF one-handed
catches are of the lucky sort.
king Bill" Kay is clumsy looking fell
low on the field. and many were the smart
remarks made at his expense by the other
players while the second game was IN
majority OF the boys would be willing to
acknowledge that they would give up two
years of their salary had they his batting
eye. 1t was the general impression also
that Kay was a slow man, but from the
way he got over the ground yesterday it
was clearly shown that the big fellow needs
only experience to become trst-class ball
player. Manager Cantillon insists that
Kay is a diamond in the rough and if he
can only knock some of his careless ways
uut of him this opinion VIII be verified.
There is about much enthusiasm over a
game in Rays makeup that shown by
the two goats that generally look on the
proceedings at the end Of the left field
stand No matter what is going on. Kay
~
but CaUtillon Is persistent and contends
that he will get the big fellow out OF his
trance before the season ends. He has
been offered a ten-dOllar bill to 20 on the
coaching line. but one of the players says
that Kay turned really pale when the sug-
geStion was made.
Kay las thor with the bells on yaster-
day and ~ cry boy gave him the glad la d,
II was ,.c nrSj tuil same he mas worked IN
since Joining the team. and three runs, two
SINGLES and q double show that he was
there with the goods in the batting line
Unfortunately for the spectators, Kay was
not given one chance in the outfield, so
that no line could be placed on him as a
fielder.
Detroit by defeating the Philadelphia
Athletics yesterday, jumped into first place
In the American League pennant race but
in spite of the Tigers lead. there are still
three very live contestants for the flag.
While Detroit is naturally the favorite
because of It's remarkable work away from
home IL must win a majority of the games
yet to be played in order to capture the
pennant Should Detroit. which has eight
games yet to play, only break even, while
Philadelphia takes six out of nine, the lat
ter would win the flag by just two points.
straight winning streak by the Chicago
White SoX. such the one with which they
finished last year. would give Chicago a per-
centage of COS at the close of the season
and probably the flag.
Detroit has the best of everything on pa