Evening star., 1912-09-07
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

BOSTON, September 1T was not
Walter Johnsons fault that he was fore
cd to lower his colors to Joe Wood yes
tcrday. The pitching records of the
game will show that he outptched the
Boston hero. for he allowed but five hits,
while six were made off Wood. lie
walked but one man, while his opponent
sent three to first by this route. Wood
led in strike-outs. with nine to FIVE. but
he won his game because he had the
most hitting strength behind him.
incidentally, the one run scored was
the direct result of the breaks of the
game which favored Wood. Lewis two
bagger. which scored Speaker from sec
ond after two were out in the sixth. was
a scratch hit Lewis is a pronounced
left-field hitter. and Moeller naturally
PLAYED some distance from the foul line.
Lewis sent up low fly which Moeller
barely reached. but could not handle. and
there were two out Speaker of course,
was Well under way and scored with
case. This hit came at one of the few
opportunities that Johnson offered the
Red Sox and beat him out of r ball
game. No such luck for the Nationals.
however. There were FIVE occasions dur
ing the afternoon when "A base hit would
have scored run for them yet at such
times nothing resembling safe drive
materialized. and Ia this fact the victory
of the coming champions can be attrib-
uted.
The game was all that could possibly
he expected. 1t was a great pitchers
battle. in which luck decided the day.
IL was attended as has been no ball
game this season. Every available
foot of space was occupied by eager
enthusiasts. while the gates had to be
closed long before the game was start
ed because there was no way to care
for more spectators. The entire playing
field was encircled with people. Men
and women stood through the contest
and hundreds took chances of being
injured by foul tips by standing di-
rectly behind the catcher 1t was an
immense crowd. as great a one. probably.
will witness the worlds series games
here. and il saw one of the greatest dia-
mond struggles in the history of the
game.
Somehow. or other il seems impos-
sible for Griffith's players TO hit at the
right time. Yesterday there were no
less than five opportunities offered
when base hit would give at least
one run. Yet under such conditions
Wood could not be hit into fair terri
tory.
Milan started the game with hit to
left which Wagner stopped back on the
grass, but did not attempt TO throw Fos-
ter however. hit into double play. and
Moeller struck out. The side was retired
in order in the second, but great chance
offered itself in the third when the bases
were filled. yet not run was scored. Nc
Bride opened the inning with double
into the crowd in left center. He was
put on third when Ainsmith sacrificed.
Johnson hit high bounder toward
Wood. which the latter grabbed. and
Mcbride was caught between third and
home. and finally run down. Johnson in
the meantime reached second. and then
Wood walked Milan and Foster. filling the
bases. But it was the Nationals luck to
have Moeller up. and he struck out for
the second time, thus eliminating all
chance of scoring.
The next chance for runs came in the
nth. when. with one out. Ainsmith drew
pass. Johnson bTnted ball past
Wood and was safe. This put it up to
Milan and Foster. Both hit the ball
well. but flies to Lewis and Speaker re-
suited.
Iaporte. the only man on the team
who hit Wood hard got a double in the
sixth with two hands down, but Moran
struck out and left him al second.
Another opportunity came in the eighth,
when. with one out. Foster singled and
stole second But .Moeller again failed
hitting a httle fly 10 Wagner. Then came
gauged one OF Woods curves perfectly
and a line drive over first resulted. But
the ball suddenly curved to the outside
and was fouled by not more than a foot
or So Gandil then flied out to Speaker.
and another chance for a run went slim-
mcring.
Even i'll the ninth there was a chance
for a run for Laporte started the inning
with a clean single TO left He reached
second on Moran'S sacrifice hut Mcbride
and Ainsmith struck out and ended the
game
The loss Of yesterdays game was a
hard blow TO the Nationals in more ways
than one. The announcement that john
son and Wood would oppose each other
created furores among the followers of
the game here. and naturally there were
those who wanted to back Wood with
their money. The Nationals believing
that Johnson could turn the trick. made
up purse of so and wagcred il on the
game. They were willing 10 wager more.
hut fortunately could find no takers.
Johnson contributed much 10 the purse.
IL has been some weeks since John
son pitched as brilliant game as
Yesterday. and ii was fortunate that
primed for the occasion and look ed
moro like himself than he has for some
time. The hit which drove in the only
run OF the game by no means "A
clean hit. II was dropping little fly
over first base, and. IL Moeller had