The Washington times., 1911-09-24
JOHNSON PIE FOR
THE NAPLA NDERS
BY SENATOR"

Had the nineteen men, some young
! and some old, who make up Washing
tons contingent in the American
League, spent two and one-half sleep
less nights in trying TO figure out how
TO compel the Cleveland Maps to take
the first game Of the mai series here
, they could not have outlined q more
thorough or successful plan than they
followed in that meeting yesterday aft
ernoon.
More than 5000 of the faithful, expect
ing to see a clash between Vean Gregg
and Walter Johnson, the premier per-
formers, watched the Nationals pack,
Jam. and force into the nine innings
every sample Of misplays, for the game
On the whole was considerably more
wObbly than the figures indicate.
Walter johnson was bad, and the rest
of the team was worse. 1t is, indeed,
seldom that any team hammers John
son for thirteen hits for a total of twen-
ty-one bases, but that was what the
Maps did yesterday, and in considering
the rocky fielding behind him, it was
truly wonderful that the visitors score
was not at least doubled. Although the
homers are charged with but three me-
chanical misplays, there were errors oc
omls sion that were most discourGging
to those who hoped to see McAleeT's
men regain some real form after that
double banking of the day before.
Walter Off Color.
johnson showed little of the ability
toh In afi fa
to make matters worse Charley Street
was not behind the bat to receive the
big fellow. Honest John Henry tried
hard, but he was unable to handle the
shoots and slants OF johnson, and bat
terry errors played important parts in
the farce. All along the line the Ma
tionals' were not there any more than
they were on FISH day, and the Maps
had about the biggest cinch since they
left their own freside to play the east
ern side Of the league. >~-.-.-.
Krapp was as good as johnson was
poor. Five scattered hits, two Of which
were crosses between bingles and bun
giles, WAS all the Nationals could do to
the small figure in the box for Cleve-
land. Krapp's control was not OF the
best, for he passed five of the Nation
ais and twice would-be hits were killed
by pretty running catches in the out
field.
Kid Elberfeld, who was subjected to
a bitter roast on the previous day
was given the welcome mitt when he
came I'D for the first time yesterday,
and Just to show his appreciation in
the turn in sentiment among the tickle
fans he got on on each Of the four
occasions when he went to the plate
Three times he walked and on the
other trip he slammed a single at third
base which was too hot for Mr.. Turner
to handle in time to flag the flying kid.
Elberfeld also made the only run cred
tied to Washington.
In trying to beat out an lnneId tap
in the fourth inning, Ray Morgan
stepped on the side of the bag at first
base and so severely strained his ankle
that he was forced to withdraw from
the fray. The crowd was anxious for
Morgan to continue but as this was I'M
possible Conray was placed on third.
Hits Wasted.
Both teams wasted hits in the first
but in the second Lajoie's double fol-
lowed quickly bv Birmingham's hit sent
in a run for Cleveland.
Washington made its solitary tally in
the fourth, when Elberfeld went to
first on four bad balls. 'galloped
around to- third on Red Walkers
sharp hit to right and continued home
while Gessler was being thrown out by
Ball.
The biz explosion came in the sixth
and before II was over johnson had got
a good battering and the Maps had
added three runs to their total Olson
hit over Morgan and Joe Jackson. for
his second time since the erection of
the new ball park, whaled the cork
center fully ten feet over the right
field fence and cantered around the
circuit for home run. following Olson
in. Lajoie singled but was forced by
Birmingham. Birmingham took second
on Q Wild pitch and had an easy time