Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-01
BY j. ED GRILLo.

Bob Groom who has defeated the Ath-
letics on both occa sions that he has
faced them recently, winning a game
here and one in Philadelphia, is slated
to try his hand against the champions
again today. Groom, who has been pitch
| ing most consistently of late. seems to
be particularly effective against Connie
/ Mack's team. The hard-hitting cham
pions do not take kindly to Groom's
twirling. and even the great Baker
has connected but twice in the games
which Groom has pitched.
1t is not unlikely that Jack Coombs.
Mack's iron man, will be pitted against
Groom today. Though he has pitched in
two Of the three games the champions
have played here, the fact that he has
had two days rest is sufficient guaran-
tee that he will work today. There have
been one or two occasions this spring
when the locals have taken kindly to
Coombs' slants, and it is to be hoped
that today will be one of these.
The game will be called at $3.50.
Though the Nationals have lost con-
siderable ground since returning from
their successful trip through the west,
the team is still In a position to cut a
figure in the race and another winning
streak is sure to be looked for soon.
| Things have been breaking poorly for the
Nationals for the past couple OF weeks,
and conditions have not been helped by
the absence of Morgan and Moeller.
But with the improvement that the
pitching staff is showing there is, sure to
be lot more games won from this out.
The teams batting has been off color
for some time. Batters of reputation,
who are sure to come again. have been
in a slump, and when they get to going
up to their standard once more there
Will be different stories to tell Of the
games.
Chick Gandirs value to the team is best
shown by the fact that though he has
been in the league but one month, he has
driven in twenty-five of his teams runs,
which places him among the productive
hitters of the league. Gandil, IN fact.
has hit better since coming into this COM
pany than he did in the international
League. The fact that he has been up
against better grade of pitching has in
no way affected his hitting. and there is
a chance for him to continue to improve
as he grows more accustomed to the ma
jor league twiTlers.
The morning game July will be called
art 1890 while fine. after1;C-.:e' game will
| begin a; :; o'clock. Box and reserved
seats for these games will go on sale to-
morrow morning at the usual places foi
the sale OF tickets 10 the ball games.
Ii ever young player had all the ear
marks Of eventually becoming valuable
hitter. it is Howard Shanlss. The young
ster is not a consistent performer with
the stick as yet, but he stands at the
plate most impressively, and takes a
splendid swing at the ball In time he
will overcome whatever weakness he may
| have at the bat, for he appears to be a
]! natural hitter. AS a fielder ShankS has
! few slperiors. He is undoubtedly one Of
the best in the game today on ground
balls. and covers a lot Of territory on
! flies.
Mike Donlin is another illustration OF
| the fact that once hitter always a hit
! ter Though Mike was out of the game
| for several years he has come back Will
| a vengeance, and is now leading the Ma.
| tional League batters with an average OF
| 4aG. Donlin is hitting better than ever
!! before this year. and to his prowess with