Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-12
WOBBL|NC
National League Race Is De-
cidedIy Uncertain.
ATHLETICS ARE STEADY
Mack's Champs Appear to Have Pen
nant Cinched, But Detroit
Still Has Chance.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. September -.
With the Athletics continuing to show
a clean rair of heels to the Detroit
Tigers and winning with the regularity
of real champions, the National League
race appears TO be developing into a
Vobbling match. New York. Chicago and
Pittsburgh do not appear to possess the
stamina for the grueling fight down the
home stretch and il is not surprising
that the Pirates should be taken to a
health resort to tune up their systems
for the final dash for the pennant.
The Giants had hard work last week
to keep their lead, both Boston and
Brooklyn surprising McGraw's players.
Chicago and Pittsburgh had splendid
opportunities to make a big gain on the
New Workers, but the western teams
failed dismally Since leaving this sec
ton the Pirates have played a number
of double-headers with their western OPP
ponents. Had they been as successful in
these affairs as the Athletics were in
bargain matinees this year. the Pitts
burgh team would now be the favorite
for the Nationals pennant. Instead,
Clarke's players have not been able to
do better any day than to get an even
break, and thus they have fallen away
from the leaders.
The Cubs too. have met with some re-
verses despite shifts in the intield. None
OF the three leading teams in the Lynch
circuit is showing championship quail
ties, and they are lucky that the Phillies
are just far enough back not to be con-
sidered in the running.
One two or all three of the leaders
should take brace very soon 1t is not
expected for moment that the men who
are managing these teams Will not put
on every ounce of energy to land the rich
prize.
The fur will begin to fly for fair The lat
ter part of this week. Then the eastern
teams of the National League will strike
the west. Judging from the showing
which ST. Louis and Cincinnati have made
against Pittsburgh and Chicago. the
Giants will strike very difficult opposition
in every city of the circuit. Tney can
not count for d chance to rest up any
where along the line. Whether Chicago
or Pittsburgh or both can get up enough
of their old fighting spirit to head off
McGraw's men is uncertain.
At this writing it looks as if all three
of the leaders were tired out from the
strair of the race. The one which is able
TO get up a spurt first is likely to go over
the finish line with the championship en-
blem and chance to play i'm the worlds
series as its reward.
Athletics Going Steadily.
Connie Macks worlds champions con-
tinue to plod along steadily toward the
goal of their ambition. Six victories were
reeled off last week, as against two de-
feats This is about the average that is
expected of the White Elephants. for they
are bound to run up against a defeat oc-
casionaly.
Their losses were sustained at the
hands of Washington and Boston. The
Nationals beat them last Monday after
II .pht hn l1a bod +I,r
game won. Saturday the Boston Red
Sox got little revenge for four Straight
defeats here by shutting out the Ath-
letlcs Tom OBricn, who performed in
sensational style for the Denver, Col,
club this year, faced the White Elephants
for the 1irst time, and he completely
fooled them.
Last Saturday morning tire Athletics
had lead over Detroit of eight games.
Since then this has been reduced to six
and one-half games. Saturday Detroit
won while the home team was being shut
out. the Tigers beating Chicago by to y.
In yesterdays game Detroit again showed
staying qualities by defeating Cleveland
in Understanding pitchers battle.
Judging by these performances. the De-
| troiters are getting ready for an attempt
to spring another sU prise like they did
in 1901. Then they came, east for their
nnal trip to this section, and by a whirl
wind campaign landed the championship
from the Athletics who until after the
middle of September appeared TO have
the peanant cinched.
1t is not likely that the Tigers can re-
peat in any such manner. With such a
read as the White Elephants now have
and every department III iirst-class con-
dluon, II is not expected thai the home
players Will strike a slump. Still, base
ball is a peculiar proposition. and Man
ager Mack VII doubtless continue to
drive his play ers al top speed until after
the next series with Detroit in this city
September %. ~ and -. Those games
do not look very important now. owing
TO tire big lead OF the Athletics but the
games with Jennings. men may loom up
| very large before Skiddoo'' gets his
! September birthday.