Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-27
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, April Elf any
one has any doubts as to the Athletics
ability to play ball, let him ask the MEN,
bers Of the Washington team their opin-
ion and the reply will be to the effect
that the worlds champions are still the
goods. The exhibition given the past two
days by the Mackmen has been the real
article and the Nationals are fully con-
WINGED that the club which beats the
Athletics will come mighty near to win
ming the coveted pennant. Snappy INSIDE
ball Is their slogan and it would have been
almost impossible to beat them yesterday
afternoon. Not that the Washingtons
did not play good ball. On the contrary,
they gave a clever exhibition. but their
inability to hit safely has cost them the
two games played here thus far. So far
as fielding stunts go, there is little to
choose between the two teams and the
Nationals pulled off some startling plays
yesterday.
For instance. in the fifth inning with
the fleet-footed Collins on second base
Davis cracked out peach to deep center.
1t looked safe as houses and good for
three bases, but Milan had started
with the crack of the bat and by
a tremendous sprint just managed
to get up with the ball as 1t
was sailing past. He stuck out one hand
and to the establishment Of the spectators
he clutched the ball for the out 1t was a
slashing play and Milan was deservedly
cheered when he returned to the bench.
Against such pitching as Benders, how
ever, it would have been almost a miracle
for any team to win, even If the Ath-
letics had not struck their batting streak
in the fifth session. The Indian was at
his best, and when that is said the an
swer is found. Probably the warm day
had some effect upon Bender, but. what
ever the reason, the fact remains that
he had all his old-time speed and con-
troll. Batter after batter took three swings
1T the ball and then walked sadly back
to the bench, victim of the Indian
willy tactics. BY the end Of the ninth
inning Bender had struck out twelve
men, This is a performance that needs
a lot of beating, even when the pitchers
are at their best.
A comparison of the two twirlers shows
that Bender had to pitch gilt-edged ball
to get away with the game. and the
chances are that but for Elberfeld's FUN
BILE In the fifth the Nationals would
have been in the battle to the finish.
Bender famed twelve. as against six for
Groom; allowed six hits as against seven
and gave four passes as against seven.
washington's fighting spirit was exem-
plified In the ninth inning. With no APP
parent chance to get anywhere near the
leaders the Nationals stuck to their task
and managed to drive a couple of men
across the pan. Bender started, the
trouble by issuing a pass and couple OF
singles helped to get the two tallies.
Despite the two defeats Jim McAleer is
not downcast over the failure Of his
boys to win here. He remarked last
night that it was simply repetition OF
Tuesday and that such playing was en-
titled to win any game. Look out for
us tomorrow" said McAleer last night.
II expect to put Johnson In the box and
/ suppose he will be opposed by Plank or
Krause Both these men are good. but
they will have to show. Ii the boys
could only hit a bit better we should give
All the clubs q lot of trouble and you
can bet that they will get going before
many days That was the difficulty with
the Athletics and l figure that We will