The Washington herald., 1911-05-26
WALTER JOHNSON TWRLS
NATIONALS TO VICTORY
Tigers Are Defeated in Final Game of Series by to
Score-McBride Again Hits Ball Hard
By PAUL ii. BRUSKE.
Baseball writer, the Detroit Times.

Special to The Washington Herald
Detroit, Mich, May 25.-With Walter
johnson pitching in what his team
mates agree was his nearest to real
form of any of his starts this year, the
Nationals trimmed Detroit to-day, to
2, were always in the lead, and make
the Tigers take the beating which they
handed them. The Nationals victory
gives them an even break on the series
and they left Detroit tonight certain
that their long slump had been broken
and full of prediction that they would
soon resume their former position as
active candidates for the leadership of
the second division.
Willett was the unlucky twirler
whom Manager Jennings sent out to do
battle with Walter. For three innings
he got away in nice form, and the bugs
had visions of another of the hectic
duels which he and Walter fought last
season. In the fourth inning, however.
the Nationals bats began 10 beat "a
tattoo, which they continued with only
occasional intermissions until the end
of the pastime Mcbride was the most
prominent Washington slugSer.
Mac faced Willett five times. The
Tigers got him out once. Once he walk
ed. three times he hit safely-fne, ring
ing drives to the outfeld. too. His sec
ond smash drove in WashingtonS first
run: his third gave hin. an opening,
which he followed up by a daring theft
OF second base, scoring shortly after on
Cunninsham's double. In the field he
pulled off n fine play, and only one error
marred his remarkable day-the second
or the series in which mis- recently ac-
quired slugging propensities have been
~ in fn dtSnnr1firlIre
Tigers. Catcher Henry was also a slug
ging demon, though both his finest drives
were wasted so far as scoring was con-
cerned.
Milan Is the star.
Milan was in fine form, cut off what
looked like two extra-base hits, and by
some wonderful quick thinking came
near pulling off a play which would have
bordered on the marvellous In this case
he required Gessler's cooperation. how
ever and the doctor failed TO seize the
opportunity The play came up in De-
troit's final time at bat, and Crawford
was on second with one out. Delehanty
hit on a line into right center, and Milan
Eus off with the crack Cf the bat. He
made the catch running at top speed,
with his back TO the Detroit runner, and
saw that he would be unable to throw 10
third in time TO keep Crawford from
advancing. He accordingly tossed the
ball with quick move 20 Gessler, rely
ing or the doctor to make the throw.
Gtssler I'D not get his hands up in time.
and Crawford not only took third, but
kept on TO the plate, scoring on a mis-
play which really should have been credit
eG TO GesSler, though the scorers could
NJ legally do II.
johnson in Form.
JohnsOn's S work on the slab was viewed
with great interest, not only by the
crowd ana the Detroit players. but by
his own mates. as well. 1t was agreed
that Walter vas more like his old self
than at any prior time this year. He
did not have his old speed. # is true,
but he had plenty, and his curve ball
was as keen-edged as a razor. His con-
troll was far better than on his prior ap-
pearance. and he struck out nine of the
Tigers. which beats all former marks of
opposing pitchers this year. He used
Slow ball much in the early stages and
got away with il. When he saw that he
would not have TO save himself, he be-
gan TO cut loose. and really was pitch
ing the best ball OF the day near the
ciose' despite the fact that in the last
two innings the Tigers scored a couple
OF runs.
Cobb and Crawford We're the only men,
bers of the Detroit club who could hit
with any degree of confidence They
bingled together onCe-in the fourth. But
there was one out, and Delehanty was
a second victim. Cobb ending things by
trying to go from second to the plate on
Del's infield out, and being caught in
the act by So1nerlot and Henry
The Score