Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-17
BY J. ED GRILLo.

II the Nationals can make a clean sweep
of the series with st. Louis, which opens
today with double-header there is
strong prOba bility that the team will be
in better position by the end of the
week than it has been at any time this
season.
On form Grifffths team figures to beat
the Browns. and yet the team must put
forth its best efforts to bring this about,
for there is no team SO easy that an OPP
ponent regardless OF strength can loaf
against it.
But while the locals are hooked up with
the lowly Browns, Chicago will be bat
gagged in Philadelphia Chicago left here
intent on giving the Hub team q set
back Ed Walsh has been saved during
the series here for that special purpose.
and it is not at all unlikely that Calla-
hans team can turn the trick. which, of
course, would help the Nationals whole
lot. Incidentally Detroit may give the
champions something to think about and
help to keep them farther off the Ma
tiona1s' back. Surely both these teams
will be up against harder games than
those which confront Griffiths team, and
1t would therefore seem that the locals
will have splendid advantage by the
time the end of the week rolls around.
But the strength of the Browns must
not be underestimate. No team can
afford to loaf while playing these weak
teams. The old adage of the prize ring,
which says ''train~as hard for a chump
as for champ" applies here The pres
vantage and they should not allow the
opportunity to benefit themselves slip
through their fingers.
N.,o-a. ,&o,,on ,,-;,, n.o.a,t rcoo,, now,
faces during the Browns stay here. The
Browns manager and his predecessor,
Bobby Wallace. are both out OF the game.
Stovall has a long list of new players
whom he Is trying out from time to time
and he will have an opportunity to get
line on them during his stay here.
Walter Johnson Is now displaying his
best form. He has completely recovered
from his recent illness, and 1t will be no
easy matter for any team to gain a vic
tory over him from this out Johnson
has won seventeen and lost seven games
to date. In working these twenty-four
games the big fellow has at no time
been overworked. Griffith has handled
him with the greatest care with an OBJ
ject in view. He ngures that If his team
is in neck and neck fight for the pennant
later in the season it will devolve
upon Johnson to land the bunting. When
ever occasion arises there will be no reg
ular work days for Walter. He will be,
used from this out whenever needed.
Griff figures that he needs another vic
tory Walter worked two of the three
games against Chicago, but had two days
rest between. and he was as good yester-
day as on the first day of the series. If
the other pitchers can hold the Browns,
Walter will not be used until perhaps Sat-
urday, but he is sure to be kept busy
during the Detroit SERIES for by that time
it is not unlikely that the fight for the
flag will be much closer than it is at the
present time.
The closer the race the more work for
Johnson, and having been handled with
great care during the. early months of
the campaign he will be at his best from
this out
IT have bunch that we are going to
cause the downfall of Boston," remarked
Manager Jim Callahan after yesterdays
game. II will not be at all surprised if
we take majority of the games from the
Red Sox, and it is needless to say that
we will try mighty hard to turn the trick.
If we can beat Boston we still have a
chance to finish at the top of the heap
once We return TO our own grounds
What was probably the longest hit ever
made on the local grounds came in the
second inning yesterday, when Walter
Johnson drove the ball to the extreme
centerfield, fence. hitting the boards on the
first bound He easily made the circuit
without exerting himself. II was a ter
rife clout. and only proves that Johnson.
besides being a great pitcher, is also a
most dangerous batter.
Though Howard Shanks does not pos
sess very formidable batting average,
it is plain to be seen that he is con-
stantly improving in his stick work and