Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-03
HOPES Of Boston and Nationals Rest on Ability to Sta
WILL NATIONALS OR BOSTON
PLAY BETTER UNDER STRAIN?
Pennant Hopes Of Two Clubs Narrow Down
to Decision on That Question-John-
son Pitches Wonderful Ball.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

DETROIT. Mich August with the
pennant fight narrowed down between
Washington and Boston. IL only remains
n question which of the contending PAIR
can stand up best under the strain under
which they are now laboring. As yet there
is no indication that Boston is ready 10
hoist the white feather. Jake Stahi
leaders are going along at the same
merry clip which has marked their play
ing nearly all of this season OCCASION
ally they are beaten, but that long
hoped-for slump seems rather slow In
breaking into the Red Sox repertoire
What is true of Boston Is true OF Wash
iuEtou.
tirifffth-s team continues 70 go along AT
a fast clip. stumping its toe now ana
then. but on the whole playing con-
sistent game, of base bail. 1t Is no easy
matter to beat either of the contenders
these days The trick may be turned
now and then but reverSes merely seem
To sharpen the players appetites TOT
more victories and stimulate that sPl1i'
which goes with every successful coiilpl-
nation Not being in the lead. 1t Is ar
cued that the Nationals are not under
the same strain that are the Red SoN
To be i'll front in such race as the
present one is considered a handicap Tor
the reason that should there come
time when reverses follow reverses there
is much for the y ayers OF the leadlhs
team TO fear and think about: and under
such circumstances long losing streaks
are apt 10 be invited.
When Boston finishes in st. Louis it
stll has Detroit and Cleveland to play,
ard il j. only fair to presume that THESE
two teams are apt to give them hard-
or battle than the two western teams
they have played to date. In this lie
the Nationals chances TO advance. pro
vi ting always. of course. that they do
not tumble against Chicago and the
Browns, which is apt TO happen. for there
are no such things as easy teams III the
major leagues.
Just now Griffith is busy keeping his
charges within hailing distance of the
leaders in the hope that if break comes
for the Red Sox he can shove ms
team 10 the front OF late the two lead
ers have been going along at about an
equal clip and neither has shown the
slightest indcat tons of weakening 1t
now seems that if either should fall into
slump the road for the flag will have
been cleared for the other. for il is hard
t. figure that any of the other teams
have a look-in. not even barring the
Athletics. great ball team, but one
which lacks the pitching strength which
is necessary To carry a team TO the front
in race such a. this
Of the seven games played in the west
this trip six have been won by the Ma
.ionalS a showing most brilliant, Yet but
little ground has been gained Boston
has iost but two games. while the Ma
tonais have lost one so that while the
margin which the Red Sox have has been
cut down. the slice taken out has not been
large enough 10 make any material diff
ference in the standing of the two teams
But of course. in a race like this every
inch counts. and time may prove
went unnoticei will be resi- onsible for
the victory or defeat Of either team.
hast
form. He is now pitching the sort of bali
which made him famous, and the exhibit
ton he gave against the Tigers yeSter-
day was one of the most brilliant of
the season. notwithstanding the fact that
five hits Were charged against him.
Whatever Johnson may be, he is not a
record pitcher. He does not care how
many hits made off his delivery SO
long as he is able to hold down the run
column and assure victory for his team.
1t is only when the opposition threatens
that Walter really cuts loose and shows
himself in his true form There were
several instances of this yesterday. when
the Tigers apparently threatened to make
rally, ard ne would loom up like a
giant and NOW them down like SO many
pygmieS.
There were at least two occasions when
base nit would have changed the COM
pleNion Of the game, but 1t was then that
Walter would get down TO real work and
nothing on. of the ordinary would happen
80 far the Tigers bats were concerned.
IN the fourth inning, for instance, with
one out. COBB and Delehanty both got
singles. but Cobb was nailed stealing and
Lcuden fled out. But Walters best work
was in the seventh which Louden and
MoTiaTiN opened with safe drives. 1t
looked threatening. yet not a run was
scored. Johnson helped himself when ne
threw --ouden out at third on Deals bunt
and then ne forced Stanage and Willett
- offei easy chances, retiring the side.
Just 10 show that he could do even
f19f ha Inh cav
exhibition o. pitching in the eighth at
which the popuace marveled. Crawford
was sent To bat for Bashang. and he
famed. Bush went out by the same
t0ute. and then iAe climax was capped
Aen cobb. too. took three healthy swings
without meeting the ball johnson j. go
5ns q NJ hard 70 score on from this ont,
IRE was never IN better form. and he is
not only working with great confidence
tstt he inspires the team behind him.
That underhand curve bah on which
Nillett relies 10 a great extent for his
effectiveness proved most troublesome 10
chick Gandil VINO on three different
casionS famed. Gandii has been batting
tu very had luck this trip and his
failure TO hit has made il rather hard for
u" Nationals TO win their games with
any degree OF certainty. The slump into
which he has fallen il. of course. only
temporary and he will no doubt make up
for lost tine when he gets TO going
again.
Howard Shauks is feeling no i'll effects
a q result Of his being Lit in the temple
Win one of Mullins fast ones. He prac-
need VIII the team before the game. bu;
Griffith would not allow him 10 play.
There Is a swelling ON the left temple "a
arge mans fist. which is very sore
8Ut be u not suffering in any other man
utF and SAYS he is ready 10 get info the
gam. any time he i asked. Walker
a}d not connect safely with the ball yes
terday. but h made one splendid catch or
long nv by Willett. for which he had 10
back against the left tield wall
F},r Nationals are In demand. This
mor9.n2 Griffith received a proposition
from som" cuban promoters asking him
10 br.ng mis- team 10 cuba al the close of
the American League season Griffith ;
fcpiS was characteristic. stating that the
chances We're his team would win the
p@nnant and world championship, in
which event the rules would not allow
MS team 10 play any exh bition games.
lie said. however. III he should meet with
disappointment in the race that he would
be glad 10 consider the trip. The players,
- course. are very enthusiastic about
going 10 Cuba, but Griffith put a damper
~ their hopes by making il pla N that
there = NeSy much more important work
before them during the remainder Of the
season.
When Griffith paired Eddie Ainsmitb
with Walter Johnson he came pretty near
10 forming an ideal battery Ainsm' tn
handles Johnson's delivery better than
any catcher Washington has ever had