Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-29
BY ]. ED GRILLO.

The Nationals got their usual allotment
Of two runs in yesterdays game, but won
because the Athletics could not get more
than single tally. 1t was the first flash
Of real form that Walter Johnson has
shown this spring. and it probably means
that from this out the great pitcher will
uphold his reputation.
Johnson does not differ from other play
ers. in that he must be right to do himself
justice. 1t required fully two weeks to
get him ready, but now that he is in form
he can be expected to do good work.
1t means a lot to the Nationals to have
their star pitcher fit. 1t viii have an en-
couraging effect on every man on the
team to begin with. and when johnson
is in form he can be used in pinches to
finish games in which the Nationals have
q lead, but are threatened. There Is, per-
haps. no doubt that the going home of
Johnson from Atlanta cost the Nationals
two games Of ball, for had he been right
he would have beaten both Boston and
New York, instead of suffering defeat at
their hands. The fact that he improved
as yesterdays game progressed is assur-
ance that his victory was not an accident,
but that he is now ready to work regu-
larry and deliver the goods.
1t is evident that Jim McAleer has
whenever Walter Johnson pitches. or he
would not have used the youngster yes
terday after his :wo previous exhibitions,
which were far from being up to the
standard. Perhaps it is figured that to
relieve Street Of the strenuous task OF
handling Johnsons delivery will make II
possible for "Gabby" to catch large
majority of the games pitched by the
other twirlers. Ainsmith is sure to show
last years form after a while, and he
int form
II worked more often, but with Stree'
going as he has it will. of course. be
better to keep him in the game as much
as possible.
There was some surprise expressed that
John Somerlot was sent to first to take
Henry's place. 1t was believed that
even though Henry was far from pelne
finished first baseman he would
be kept in the position SO that he might
develop. It proved a wise move. per-
haps. to play, Somerlot. for his hitting
helped to win the game yesterday. But
Somerlot did not make very gooo I'M
preston with the bat last season, ana
unless he has greatly improved ne ,a is
not very apt to take Henr! piace io'
any length Of time.
Detroit is winning game after game be-
cause Of the teams splendid hitting ana
not because the pitchers are doing espe-
cially good work. Other teams are not
having any trouble scoring on the Tigers.
but they cannot offset the run getting
the former champions.
Give a team like the Nationals. which
makes but few runs. Detroit.s pitchers
and it would win but decidedly few
games. But a pitcher who can hold the
opposing team to about three runs in
game is good enough for the Tigers, who
have been averaging about six runs per
game this season. The lead which this
team has taken in the race is gaining
dangerous proportions. OF course 1t is
not to be expected that the Tigers will be
able to keep up this pace. but with twelve
games won and but one lost they have
lead enough now to Offset any ordinary
slump such as team is sure to encount-
er during q campaign.
For the next month the Detroit tea
will be playing on its own grounds. while
the Athletics, the team which naturally is
figured to be the other contender in the
race, will be on the road Mack's men
have twenty-four straight games away
from home and this is apt TO prove
severe handicap. Unless the champions