Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-25
BY j. ED GRILLO.

4 dual victory over Detroit today
would give the Nationals splendid start
for their second western trip. But the
Tigers are not going to be easy picking
Jennings team is hustlng if it still
had a chance for the flag, and. what Is
more. he will have his two pitching stars
working today. having decided on Mullln
and Dubuc his two best performers.
These two are sure to give Hughes and
Johnson an interesting battle, yet Grif-
fifth believes that he stands a good chance
of winning both ends of the double
header.
Double-headers will come in punches
for the next few days, for one is sched-
uled for Cleveland both Saturday and sun
day. but as there are TWO off days follow
ing this exertion, the players should De
none ,he worse for their experience.
Once on the road Griffith expects great
things from his team. He contends that
barring a few games his players nave not
shown near as good form al nome as lhes
have on the road lie OFFERS no eNpiana-
ton for this state of affairs, hut believes
that the coming trip will prove the truth
Of his assertion lie is, therefore, anxious
10 win both games today so as to be IN
a position to make q hnal hGnt lof the
lead while his team is in the west
a double victory today will give the
Nationals a cnance to gain on both hos
ton and Philadelphia The latter team
is scheduled TO play a doubie-heaoef with
81 Louis and may get no pettef IMAM dii
even break. while even if Boston should
win from Cleveland ii would gam nut
one game, while "A clean sweep OF the
program here would give the Nationals
:; NO.
And II is bv no means assured that
J:ds.nu viii win today. for the chances
are that GREGG. the star of the Nap stan,
will do the twirlinG against the leaders.
and he always stands chance I" peat
any team he faces.
John Henry will make the trip with the
Nationals. He is not yet ready 10 play,
hut H.. expects to DE before the team re
turns. His injured knee il healing rapid
IL and he viii he able to exercise within
few days
After pitching one Of the games today
Walter johnson will probably not he
worked again until Detroit is reached.
and he is apt TO work In two OF the four
games there: As there are double heaoers
i'm Cleveland Saturday and Sunday, john
son will hardly be able to work i'll these,
but by the time Detroit is reached Wed
nesday he will have had plenty OF rest
to go the route Notwithstanding the
PLAYING of four games in two days at
Cleveland. Griff's pitching staff should be
in good shape. Cashion and Petty will
probably be used Saturday. while
Groom and NdughSl can pltcH Ihe doupie-
header Sunday. Then with two days
rest every member of the stan VIII be
ready for work again.
If the Nationals are going well when
they strike Cleveland the playing of four
games in two days might prove big
advantage. and give them chance to
gain on Boston. providing. of course.
four. can be won. Cleveland is going
none too well, and ii Is the intention to
do lot of experimenting when the team
gets on it's own grounds condition
which should prove OF beneht to the Ma
tionals
There has been material Improvement in
Howard Shanks' hitting ever since he
was dropped down in the batting order.
and the chances are that IL he can keep
up the present pace he will bring
his average up TO a respectable mark by
the time the season ends There Is no
reason Why Shanks should not eventually
develop into a good hitter. His stand at
the plate is perfect and he picks out good
| balls to hit at.
After the two games today there are
but twenty-three more games TO be played
| on the home grounds this season. which
\ indicates tina, so far Washington Is
| concerned the season Is coming To a
close. Griffith. however does not con
| slider il handicap 10 have most or his
games away from home. He insists that
/ the Nationals will do better work on the
road than they have at home. and IL they
are within striking distance OF the lead
! err at the finish he does not believe that
! the fact tina: most OF the games Will b.
PLAYED foreign grounds Will handicap
| his team.
/ There wiz De ne stay al homes during tire
coming western trip. Manager Griffith will
take al his players with him. and Nick
/ tltrock will increase the party when h.