Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-22
NATIONALS, LED BY BOB
GROOM, COME BACK STRONG
Robert Allows But Five Hits, While Mana
ger Mack Is Compelled to Use
Four of His Twirlers.

position. and he played It mighty well
and helped his team with his bat.
/ 1t was display Of gameness. and ap-
solutely proved that the big first baseman
is made of the right stun.
Cy Morgan pitched a great game OF
ball against the Nationals here IN the
spring. letting them down with only one
game Griffith predicted that Morgan
would never win another game from ms
team. and he has made good to Date.
Morgan was beaten in Washington on
Tuesday and yesterday he did not last
an inning nor retire man. he walkeo
three and was hit safely twice when ne
gave way to a youngster named rem
, mock, who pitches with his left arm.
Morgan gave about the worst exhibition
that has been seen on major league
diamond in some years. and II ne nao
not been taken out there is no teiiing
/ what would have resulted.
Moeller and Foster got going again
yesterday, were on the bases whole lot'
and played brilliantly in the field. Fos-
ter at third was like stone wall. he
made all sorts of brilliant stops and
throws for which he was repeatedly ap-
plauded, and he looked more like himself
at the bat. Moeller walked twice and
got two hits and Griffith was much elat-
ed, for with this pair going at the rate
they did in the west there would be no
more losing -streaks.
Walter johnson Is not figured on to
work here today. In fact, Johnson Will
not be asked to come here at ALL Gr1mth
hoping that he will be ready for the
series with Boston. which opens at home
Monday. For today's game he has select
ed either Petty or Hughes to work.
Which one Of the two shows up best IN
the warm-up will be sent to the slab.
Hughes will have the preference because
Of his brilliant showing here the other
day. but he will have to be right before
he is asked to go in. for II Is asking too
much Of a pitcher OF his long career to
work with but two days rest
Howard Shanks had his first opportu-
| nifty to shine on his favorfte play here yes
| terday In the second inning Strunk.
| very fast man, hit a ball along the LETT
| field foul line. which looked easily good
| for two bases. but when he neared the
bag he found Mcbride there with the ball
waiting. Strunk seemed surprised, but
that because he had not seen Shanks ham
die the ball. He came in like an inf1elder,
picked il up on a short hop and shot 1t
to second accurately so that the ball beat
a left fielder In the country who makes
this play as well as Shanks, and this Is
gradually being recognized around the
circuit
Since the Nationals left their own
grounds the latter part of May and start
ed on a swing around the circle they
have won twenty-four games and lost
thirteen; and all but one Of these games
have been played on the road. 1t has heen
one of the best trips that any team ever
made. and the chances are that the play
ing will be Of the highest order once the
team starts on a long home series.
That the series here was disastrous.
four games being lost in two days, was
really due to a bad break Of luck. A mis-
cradle decision which robbed Hughes OF
that first game seemed to turn the tide In
favor OF the Athletics. and yet. while
beaten. the Nationals, aside from the fact
that they were not hitting up to their
standard, made a very good impression
here. 1t seems certain that the team Is
going to be a contender In the race, and
the present series it is more than likely
that second place would never have been
relinquiShed.
Next week is going to be a hard one on
the team. for it will have ten games to
play with Boston and Philadelphia, un-
doubtedly two of the strongest teams In
the league. The chances are that John
son will be back in the fold by that time
and that the team as whole will be go
ing at a better gait than 1t has been. in
which event 1t may prove a genuine sur
prise once more and work its way to first
place.
Zeb Milan established a record yester-
day In that he was guilty Of every kind
OF an error that could possibly be
charged to on outfielder. He started on
his record-breaking episode In the fifth
when he dropped McInnes' high fly. and
followed this by making a will throw to
first In the ninth he wound up his days
work by allowing Maggert's hit to go
through his legs. but at that time he was
guarding a badly bruised finger, which
| he contracted in capturing a long fly
| from Thomas bat. on which occa sion he
| made the sensational play of the day.
| tionals found themselves with a COM
| Portable lead. and they did not do much
hustling, contenting themselves with
holding the Athletics safe. That first in
| ming proved most productive. Morgan
| started by walking both Moeller and Fos-
which he beat out, filing the bases. Can
| dill. who seldom fails under such condi-
| tions, hit to center for a base. scoring
\ two runs. and Morgan again filled the
sacks by walking Shanks. That ended
| Morgan, and Pennock was brought in. He
| made his debut by walking Morgan. fore
| ing in a run. Mcbride flied out, but
| Henry came through with a base hit
which scored couple Of more runs and
brought the total up to five.
The Athletics started as II they intend
ed to drive Groom to the bench In
hurry. but were soon checked Lord open
Oldring's out. but there and then Groom
steaded down.
In the second the Nationals added an
other on a hit by Moeller. who died steal
ing; a walk to Milan. which resulted In
his scoring on Gandil's hit to center.