Evening star., 1912-07-04
BY J. ED GRILLo.

The series with New York should give
the Nationals an opportunity to regain
the ground they lost playing Boston and
the Athletics. On what the Highlanders
have shown in the two games yesterday,
that team hasn't much Of a chance to
win any games here. Manager Wolverton
is in bad way for material. His best
players are on the hospital list. and his
team is virtually made up entirely of in
experienced youngsters. Most Of these
looked to have a chance to become real
ball players. but little Is to be expected
of them for a while yet. Wolverton's
misfortune in having to resort to expert
menting this early in the season may be
the means of getting him a winner. 1t
Is certain that he has picked up quite
number of likely-loodng young ball play
ers who. when developed. will make him
valuable men. =
But lust now the visitors look like easy
picking for the Nationals, and there is a
chance of every one of the six games
which are to be played with them. this
week going to the right side of the local
ledger. which would mean that the Ma
tionals will occupying much higher
position by the end of the week.
Jim Vaughn's second appearance in
Washington uniform proved beyond ques-
ton that Griffith has made no mistake In
adding the big left-hander to his pitch-
ing staff Vaughn should pitch winning
ball for the Nationals. There is nothing
wrong with his arm, and the change OF
teams should make wonderful difference
in him. His work against his old team
mates yesterday was q splendid exhibit
tion. He was a trifie wild at times. but
when he found himself in danger he had
something In reserve to call on. Nothing
that has happened Vaughn In recent
years pleased him SO much as the victory
anxious to show that his pitching days
are not over, and he seemed to prove
this in most effective manner.
The chances are that Griffith will have
his regular lineup in the field from this
out. Morgan and Moeller broke into the
second game yesterday, and while Moeller
did not finish he stayed long enough to
convince himself that he Is all right
again. This is the combination which
made the wonderful record through the
west, and it is believed that the team is
due for another winning streak now that
the regular lineup has been restored,
Howard Shanks' batting slump seems
to have come' to an end. 1t was his
screeching triple in the ninth of the first
game which brought victory to the Ma
tionals. and his bat was very much IN
evidence during the second game. ohanks
is q youngster Who is sure to improve
with the bat because he has a perfect
stand at the plate and takes healthy
swing straight from the shoulders
While Gandil made the circuit on his
drive in the fourth inning of the first
game. tying the score. he gets credit for
only three-base hit. for the reason that
Stump, the third baseman. fumbled -hS
return throw. making 1t. possible for Gan
- l. - 1t.
1t was right at Daniels, but the latter
misjudged its force. and started in for j..
the result being that the ball went over
his head for the 'bleacherS,
1t was a wise move to take Johnson
out after the Nationals had gained a
comfortable lead in the second game.
There is no use in working the star
twirler in games of this kind, for there
will be other days when he will be need
self to any extent while he was on the
rubber. and the six innings he pitched
amounted to a little more than a work.
out for him. Pitching Is never hard for
johnson when he is in form. He mas IN
easy delivery and wastes few balls, pitch
ing fewer. in fact. than the average
pitcher. AS a rule, Johnson pitches a
smaller number Of balls in two games
than many pitcher does in one.
Ine Iim0 IS not Iar OH Wnen Ray
Morgan will be recognized as one Of the
best second basemen In the league. Nor
gan is improving with every game. and
he moved around yesterday in u most inl-
pressive manner. He is also one of the
most dangerous hitters on tbs team. and
by the end Of the season ougal to be 4
much improved ball player.
Yesterdays victory by Boston over
Philadelphia only goes to prove that
Mack's pitchers are not as consistent as
they were. Coombs. while he has shown
some splendid spurts, occasionally is
pounded as he was yesterday. and Bender
Is doing similar work. The present series
is going to prove a crucial test for the
champions. To lose a majority OF the
games to the Red Sox will virtually put
them out Of the running.
The more one sees Of Gandil the more
impressive becomes his work, and he is
gradually establishing the reputation OF
being the best first baseman in the league
II Gandil has a weakness he has been
hiding 1t. There is nothing that he can't
do. He is beautiful fielder OF his posi-
ton, a great batter: and is decidedly fast