Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-09
"OeeesNVGe
nOVE.5

-couraging day for Washington and its
base ball fans, but there may be brighter
skies in the near future.
Those who argue that it is a mistake
to break up winning combinations have
terday's game. With the score standing
to in favor of ST Louis at the end of
the sixth. Griffith pulled out Morgan and
showed Laporte to second base. He had
no sooner landed there than the fusilade
of base hits began to pour into the out
field. and before the inning was over six
Browns had crossed the plate. Laporte
had two chances at the bat and failed to
do anything worth WHILE but he handled
everything that came to him in the field.
The present good position of the Ma
tionals was brought about with Morgan
playing second. He is far from being a
star or a finished ball player, but he
seemed to help make a winning cOmbina-
ton. Laporte may in time prove himself
a much more valuable man for the team,
but there is no getting away from the
fact that winning combination has been
broken up.
1t looked for time yesterday that
there would be some trouble about La
porte reporting to Washington. He called
at the hotel in the morning and told
Griffith that he would not report until
Owner Hedges had kicked in with a 500
bonus which he had promised at the end
of the season providing Laporte played
good ball. Laporte argues that his work
has been of high class. as his batting
average and the fact that team which
is fighting for the pennant has purchased
him would indicate. or course. Griffith
had nothing to do with the grievance and
told Laporte so. but just before the game
started Laporte came out on the infield
in Washington uniform. and, as already
stated, broke into the game.
Left-handed pitchers seem to have 1t
on Grifith's batters Yesterday was
| Nationals have gone down before
southpaw pitching. doc" White turn
ing the trick in Chicago last Tues
day. though he did not seem to have
enough to get the ball to the plate.
Hamilton had a good day yesterday,
yet he did not look impressive, but for
all that he was not hit hard, as the
base hit column of the Nationals in
the only one of his opponents who
could hit him. and both of his long
drives came to nothing, for the reason
that the men who followed him in the
lineup We're baffied by Hamilton. Not
withstanding the fact that Griffith
took the precaution to have Altrock
pitch to the batters before the game.
so as to accustom them to a left-handed
delivery. they were entirely at sea
when they faced Hamilton.
The attendance at the Browns
grounds is a travesty on base ball. A
few over twelve hundred paid their
;, way in to see the Nationals perform
yesterday. and this is said to be about
| the regulation sized crowd for week
days
There were two different occa-
| sions yesterday when the Nationals
had man on third and but one out.
and yet could not score. Gandil was
q L. III tnA
Once on his double in the second and
an infield out. and in the fourth on his
triple with one out. Foster was on
first and Moeller on third in the third
attempted Moeller was nailed at the
plate. Gandil. too died at the plate
after making his triple in the fourth
| on Ainsmith's hit to Pratt.
Pratt. the Browns second baseman. is
building up quite a hitting record just
now. He has not missed getting hit
! i'm any of the last fourteen games
that the Browns have played at home
and helped himself to three at the eX-
pense of Vaughn and Cashion yester-
day.
RAY Morgan has been benched, and only
| in the event of Frank Laporte failing to
make good at second will the former DAN
| Vile player resume his position at second
| base for the Nationals.
Morgan was taken out in the sixth in
ming of yesterdays game and Laporte
substituted. Last night Griffith made the
| announcement that Laporte would play
second today and hereafter unless he
should prove himself unworthy Of the
position.
The acquisition of Laporte means a
change in the batting order. which how
ever Griffith has not yet decided upon.
He intends to give this matter some
thought before he comes to a decision.
He wants to figure out where Laporte
can be used to the best advantage before
making any changes. 1t is. of course, as
sured that Moeller and Foster will not be
| disturbed from their present position. for
| they work we'll together where they are.
| but 1t is likely that Laporte will be
moved up so that he will. by reason of his
| batting prowess. be of more value to the
team.
Just what happened to Jim Vaughn In
| the sixth 10 hard to explain. Up to this
time he seemed to be in his best form,
having allowed but two hits. and he was
apparently moving down the. Browns in
! regular order. He struck out Hamilton