The Washington herald., 1912-05-05
Akers to Be Used Regularly;
Chicago Opens Here Tuesday

BY virtue OF the Nationals 8 victory over
the Boston Red sox yesterday. Washing
ton is in second place OF the American
League race. Even the most sanguine
Capital fan could not figure q victory
over the New Englanders. but they
reclConed without their host.
II has been pointed out in these coll
unns all spring that the club under
Clark Grlfith Is easily 8 per cent
stronger than the team MeAleer handled
last season.
Grin Is a fighter. He has simply I'M
bued every player with fighting spirit
that viii brook no interference. No
ball game is won or lost until the last
man Is out IN the ninth. While there Is
life there Is hope. The players have
caught this spirit. They are In the game
every minute, and incidentally II might
be mentioned that this team as IL stands
to-day knows more baseball and has
pulled on more inside stun than any
aggregation OF ball tossers representing
the Capital In recent years
Three victories out of four games
played Is pretty sweet from team OF
Boston's caliber. One OF the Boston
players last night said: wait until we
get started-just wait until We meet
Washington again; then you viii hear q
different story"
True enough. It may be another story.
Boston doubtless viii be going better;
but how about the Nationals, barring. Of
course. accidents? VIII Grifrs team be
standing still7
Not so you could notice IT with a.spy-
glass.
How 1t must have CALLED some of the
Boston players. and possibly Owner Nc
Aleer, when Al Williams, former Red
Sox. smashed out the single in the third
inning that scored Germany Schaefer.
Williams Incidentally caught beauti-
full game, all things considered. He was
forced TO handle Carl Cashion, who was
wild as a hawk. and also Jerry Akers. a
recruit just breaking In. Williams is a
tireless worker. and before the season
comes to a close Boston will regret the
day It ever let the big fellow slip through
its fingers.
Jerry Akers demonstrated yesterday
that he is big league material. To put
q recruit up against q club like the Red
Sox yesterday during critical stage OF
a baH game is a crucial test, ana Akers
came through with flying coIors.
There Is no doubt that Akers win
be used regularly nom now on. ana
with johnson, Groom, walker, ana Tom
Hughes, the Nationals pitching stan
looms up formidable enough.
Akers worked his famous 'Knuckle
balI' several times to Boston batters.
and they could OF touch It. In ad-
dItion. he showed a fast breaking
.'spitter.- Al Williams, who caught
Akers, declares that Jerry will do a
whole lot better the next game he
pitches.
Ii this fellow Cashion could locate
the plate, he. would be one of the best
pitchers in the American League" said
TT1s speaker, the Boston siugger, uur-I
Ing tanning bee in the Ebbitt House
last night
"Cashion has just as much speed as
Johnson Speaker continued, "and II he
ever gains control he win be a wonder"
It seems too bad that Cashion's Wild
ness has been his undoing, but the worm
Is sure to turn. One OF these days
cashion win go into the box and be able
10 control the ball. When he does, Just
add another game 70 the won column.
The Nationals have tough week ahead
md the fans are going to see some more
rcdl DdocDdll. LO-muIFOW the CluO goes
10 Philadelphia for one game against
the Athletics. returning here Tuesday
when the Chicago White Sox, present
eaders of the American League, are the
attraction. -Four games will be- played
against Jimmy Callahan's team The
week closes Saturday with Cleveland at
he concrete coliseum.
Chicago Is at present leading the
american League, but 1t is believed that
hey are travelling beyond their true
Ipeed. At any rate. they are liable to
AXE a good. healthy slump when they
tack up against Grin's determined band
II athletes
During the week just closed the Ma
ionsIs have played i've games and lost
,ut one. New York was tronnced good
md proper Monday afternoon. The game !
Tuesday was called on. and Boston was |
Ealloped three out OF four.
Tom Hughes expects to be out IN uni !
orm this week. and says his strained !
hde VIII soon be wen and that he win |
Y able to take his regular place In the
'ox.
It is more than likely that Dixie Walker !
rin be sent IN against the Athletics |
donday, and that Walter johnson VII /
pen the series against the Chicago |
White Sex Tuesday.
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