The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-15
Game today, 3 P. m. Ladies day.

Just at the time when the outlook was
most encouraging for washington 10
break a record OF years, Standing end
finish a season in better than seventh
place. the entire pitching stan has gone
wrong, and the team must take the road
today for fourteen games without sin
gle twirler in thoroughly good shape.
Bert Kelley was forced 10 pitch two
games yesterday. and could not stand
the pace. lie won a remarkable con-
test in the first by 70 / in ten innings.
and lost the second by o 10 o i'm eight
innings. called on account of darkness,
because he had weakened and could not
prevent the Athletics from punching
hits.
Manager Cantillon said this morning
he had no idea who would mitch this
afternoon. IL may be Eli Gates. al
though he has a sore side and is gener-
ally out OF condition. or, circumstances
may force Bert Kelley back TO the
mound today. as Walter Johnson has
had but two days rest. and il is Can
ullons intention TO pitch him in the
opener in Chicago on Thursday. Jesse
Tannehill is counted upon 70 pitch two
Of the Chicago games.
Canullon has hopes that Tom Hughes
may be all right Tor one Of the games
in ST. Louis, but Hughes arm is in
such bad shape that he could do moth
ing this morning, and there is a very
strong rumOr that he may not be able
TO pitch another game this year. The
manager frankly admitted this morning
that Hughes had what was thought TO
be rheumatism and attributed 1t TO over
work Possibly the nerves Of the arm
are affected more than the muscles, as
Hughes has had trouble with his sal
airy wing for several years. and it Great
cd not a little establishment when he
did such wonderful work this year.
Charley Smiths arm persistently re-
mains sore, and thus he is eliminated
from the list Of helping hands at pres
emit
1t seems like a hodoo is bound TO fol-
low the Washington club, and the pres
ont ailments OF the pitching staff are
case in point. Did you note that Bos-
ton and the Athletics are tied today tor
fifth place with 1892 That means more
than il indicates on the surface. II the
Washington pitching stan had not gone
wrong ail OF a sudden 1t would have
been a first rate bet that Washington
EOston-fOr sixth place. Connie Mack
has practically abandoned hope OF &C
comprising any important results for
this season with his present club, and
is deliberately using the Tag end of the
1919 schedule 70 give himself a line on
his prospects for 1879. Yesterday he
ha / Eddie Collins on second, and Barry
on third, just for "A trial, and in the
first game ran in Salve, a brand new
pitcher and in the second game gave
Lapp another chance behind the bat.
At that rate the Athletics are bound
20 lose a lot Of games on the other
hand. with the exception OF a new
catcher or two, Washington has now
just the lineup it viii use next season.
urIess something soft comes along n
the shape Of pickup Of a maJ0r
Lacquer Of tried ability such as kld
E!berfeld. Washington's team IS well
organized, has proved its merit is
working better individually and collect
lively all the time, and has been playing
accordingly Considering the more tuIn
-5tO pace II has set recently, 1t was due
tn climb along up the ladder, helped BY
the fact that the Athletics were develop
ing their time 10 experimenting. Then
three Of the six pitchers contracted di-
Vers troubles with their wings, ard here
We are, lucky to see the Nationals Win
a game only now and then Us tough
luck, pure and simple.
Fired by honest pride in his calling
and stirred 10 action BY the comments
in The Sunday Times on the useless
ness Of the score cards sold in Wash
ingtOn, and other major league cities,
the genial and generous Nj Decker Of
the local park, busted himself yester-
day morning 10 have a new lineup for
yesterday afternoon Great credit is due
the genial and generous for his efforts
TO please He got a signed statement
from Connie Mack concerning his pros
peCtiVe batting order and we are much
obliged to Connie for sticking to it.
But, alas. baseball reforms are always
SLOW The Washington lineup, which
nad been signed, sealed and delivered
" Manager CantiIlon, contained Pick
erinS or Milan as the center fielder for
the first game. When the battle began
neither of these shining lights was on
the job. but EdmundsOn was in the mid
die garden. Now, just before the game
the industrious +. Lawrence Phillips,
official announcer, had come around and
crossed his heart that he would bear
The Sunday Times admOnitiOn in mind
and would call Off all changes wherein
the team on the field differed from that
on The card For this boon we promised
to give him honorable mention and
mayhap publish his picture. but he