Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-16
BY j. ED GRILLo.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. April 16.-No ball team
ever broke losing streak in a more
brilliantly played game than did the Ma
tionals yesterday. In fact, it is aues-
tionable whether any team which has
ever represented the National Capital ever
gave better exhibition on the ball field.
The nine innings were replete with sensa-
tional fielding on the part of the visitors,
which did much to make the effective
pitching Of Walter Johnson productive
Of victory.
1t Is hard to pick out the individuals
deserving Of the most praise for the
splendid exhibition. Foster at third,
Moeller In left and Mcbride at short We're
marvellous performers. but the others. too.
shone, and in these Ainsmith's name must
not be forgotten, for he not only handled
Johnson's delivery like veteran, but he
threw out four Yankees who attempted
to take liberties with him on the bases. In
addition to this he had the distinction of
making the hit on which the only run of
the game was scored.
There is something about the Nationals
playing this spring which promises much.
There Is snap and judgment in the team S
fielding, and it would unquestionably be
i
lack batting strength. But any time it
Is blessed with such pitching as Walter
Johnson did yesterday, it is almost GER
tain to beat any team it may be stacked
against.
Even in the games which were lost in
Philadelphia the work of the team, SO far
as fielding and displaying intelligence
were concerned, was impressive, and yes
terday, when 1t hit better and was forced
to the limit all the way. no one not ia
miliar with its past reputation would
ever have picked it as near-tailender.
Home crowds are not given to show
their appreciation OF clever playing when
1t Is p erformed by a visiting team, yet they
there were innumerable instances when 1t
arose in the seats yesterday and. cheered
and applauded the visiting players for
their brilliant work. johnson, of
course. is always great favorite here
and when his name was announced there
was ripple of applause. They never
forgot his wonderful performances here
In 19OS. when he shut out the Yankees
three days in succession. In those
days the team as whole did not make
much OF an impression, but when yes
terday's battle was over it's safe guess
that whole lot of the spectators left
the grounds convinced that the Nationals
are wonderful aggregation. though, Of
course, there may be a time when they
OSS0oSS1
ions.
Eddie Fosters playing during the two
games in Philadelphia attracted much
1t undoubtedly deserved. but his work
there was nothing to be compared with the
game he put up here yesterday. The
writer has been witnessing ball games for
twenty years and fails to recall single
instance when any one has performed in
that position as Foster did yesterday.
He did not have a single chance which if
he missed would not have been an ex-
cusable error, but he did not miss any of
them. and made plays which brought the
crowd to its feet with cheers. He grabbed
up hard-hit grounders, covered ground on
slow teasers and came in for a bunt
which he picked up while running at full
speed and without even looking at first
fast runner. On two occasions he caught
foul flies, which seemed impossible for
him to reach, and incidentally he drove
out two hits, which. while they did not
anect the result. gave the Nationals a
chance to score. of which they did not or
could not take advantage. Up to the time
that the season opened Fosters work at
third was not of a character that caused
much promise. though 1t was excused at
the time by the statement that the little
Fellow was not an early conner. This
has been absolutely proved, for since the
season has started he has played three
games Of ball in the position which have
been nothing short Of marvellous.
Griffith gave his batting order a decided
shaking up before yesterdays game, but
whether 1t will materially improve mat
tiers was not proved by yesterdays VIC
tory, though 1t seems to be in a better
position now than it has ever BEEN
Moeller has taken Milan's place at the
head Of the list. while Foster has been
showed up to where Schaefer used to bat
Then Milan and Schaefer follow, and
the rest Of the batting order is about as
1t was. Moeller and Foster are good
men to lead of. and when they get to
going good ought to make valuable
pair to start with.
While there was a marked improve
ment in the hitting Of the team yesterday,
1t Is not yet what 1t will have to be in
order to gain a better position in the
race. 1t Is not to be expected that every
pitcher will perform as did Walter John
son. who held the Yankees runless for
nine innings. and yet this is exactly
what he had to do in order to win
There is no chance to improve the team
fielding. The entire aggregation Is show
ing up remarkably we'll in this respect.
But the hitting is still light. OF course,
yesterday Is hardly a just criterion, for
the reason that the team was pitted
against a pitcher who has for years
been one of the most troublesome 1t
has had to face, but even against him the
batting was better than it has been.
Clyde Milan finally broke into the base
hit column with two safe drives the first
two trips to the plate. There was moth
ing fiuky about them. either, for they
were clean line drives to the outfield.
Milan received q shipment of new bats