Evening star., 1911-08-12
BY j. ED GRILLO.

Bill Cunningham is very apt to be gwen
another chance to cover second base
regularly for the Nationals beginning to-
day. Kid Elberfeld. who was forced to
retire after the first game yesterday be-
cause Of a lame hip, may not be able
to get into today's game in which event
Cunninghom will be played in his place.
Cunny performed SO we'll in the second
game yesterday that he created the i'm
preston that perhaps he has finally
rounded into his last years form. in
which event no better man for the posi-
ton could be found.
McAleer is firm in his belief that even
tually Cunningham will develop into a
first-class ball player. With the team
winning as it is he does not propose to
make any changes in the line up, how
ever, unless conditions force him to do
so. so that if Elberfeld is able to play he
will be used. Later on 1t is McAleer's in
tention to use both Cunningham and Nor
gan on the infield to get line on their
ability before next spring, but McAleer
like most managers, does not believe In
breaking up a winning combination, and
this fact has kept both of them on the
bench lately.
1t was the first time this season that
Walter Johnson accomplished anything
remarkable in the way of strike-outs
In fact. Johnson appeared to be in bet
ter form than he has been at any time
during the present campaign. He had
all that old speed which made him
famous, and a quick-breaking curve.
which, together with control, had the
HiphlQndprS Johnson
out eleven Of the visitors. and he ap-
peared just as effective against the left
as the right handed batters. Now that
Johnson is in good condition again. he
will be used after two or three days
rest. For instance. he will be asked to
work the final game of the series
against New York Tuesday.
Two more pleasing games of ball have
not been seen on the local grounds in
some years. OF course. the fact that
the Nationals won both added much to
the sport, but there was nothing fluky
played Chase's men. and deserved to
win. 1t is remarkable what a difference
there is to be noticed in ball team
when 1T is pitted against a real zoe
against tail-end proposition. In the
games with st. Louis the Nationals
looked none too well though they won
four of the FIVE. That was because
| hustle TO win. Yesterday it was diff
ferent. Every man realized that there
was incentive To get out and do the
| best he could for victory meant to be
credited with having accomplished some
| thing
Even SO experienced player as Con
roy can overlook a play now and then.
Had he had his wits about him Tom
Hughes would not have been com
PEELED to go eleven innings for his
victory. Conroy could have prevent
ed the run in the sixth, which tied the
| score. With the bases full and one
| out. knight sent a sharp grounder al
Conroy, who instead of throwing to
| the plate and forcing Hemphill and
giving Ainsmth chance to double
| knight at first. touched Chase, who
| was coming over from second. and then
| was too late to get knight at first
Fortunately the hitting ceased here
and the score was only tied.
| The fact should not be overlooked
that Bill Cunningham is still only a
| mere boy. There is plenty of time fol
him to develop, and he shows enough
every now and then to warrant the
| prediction that the time will come
when he will be able to hold his own
Yesterday Cunny played In Elberfeld's
place in the second game. and he must
| be given credit for making the VIC
\ tory possible His home run drive to
| center did much to save the day, but
not as much as his splendid defensive
work. In the fourth inning he made
two really great plays i'm rapid sue.
| cession. First he went far 10 his left
picked up Hemphill's grounder witt
one hand and without stopping tc
steady himself threw his man out
Chase followed with a similar ground
er, and Cunny also got him. AS these
/, two plays were followed by a base hi,
j bH- Creo. tt is easily to be figured -thal