The Washington herald., 1912-04-24
GROOM'S PITCHING
STAGGERS RED SOX
NATIONALS WIN
Griffs 5 Team CapturesO Opener
from Boston with Wood
in the Box.

Sp1ial u The wsshinEton He-Ald
Boston, Mass, April 25-With Joe
Wood upon the slab for Boston. the Red
sox were figuring on rather easy VIC
tory this afternoon, but they were sadly
disappointed when the Nationals, with
Groom IN the box and a substitute at
short, took the locels INTO camp very
easily and gave them the worst OF s
to 2 score The only amusement the
Boston fans received from the contest
was In watching the funny antics Of the
comedian, Schaefer, and at times even
the Iiveliest stunts of this eccentric
fielder failed 20 chase the giooms away.
Groom had an the best Of a very poorly
pitched game, as Wood lacked any
semblance OF control, walking seven
men during the contest and passing the
first man up in four different innings
Groom passed five men himseit, out ne
atOned for his wIldness by steadying
nobly in the pinches. An additional
cause for his steadlness at critical times
was furnished by an emergency pitcher,
who kept working throughout the game
In the left field corner, for Grifiith was
taking no chances Of throwing away that
three-run lead. and after the Nationals
forged TO the front IN the third session
he kept his man in readiness to step TO
70 slip. Grom, however. nailed to slip. He
has many a score to even up with the
Red Sox and he started IN this after
noon. Seven weak and well distributed
singles was the best that the home
sluggers could produce and when hit
meant a run he forced Gardner, Hooper
and Nunamaker TO fan the chill breezes.
srounds I'm Poor shape.
The weather was far too cold for base
ball and the grounds were in very poor
shape. Hard hit balls took unexpected
bounds or else stuck in the mud. the
mispIays Of the fielders were in a great
measure excusable.
The Boston men gave Wood very, poor
backing, Speaker making two costly err
rors, but even had they played perfect
bah it is doubtful If they could have
headed the Nationals on.
Morgan made the prettiest play Of the
afternoon, pulling OF an unassisted
double play at time when IT counted
heavily This was in the third when
Hooper had hit safely and was on sec
ond with only one man out. Speaker drove
a scorching liner over shortstop that
looked as though il were ticketed for
two bases. Hooper had started for third
when Morgan jumped into the air,
speared the ball with one hand and
simple double play.
Twice thereafter Groom was seeming
ly up against II, but he pulled himself
together and in the sixth when the Sox
had started a seeming rally he killed
OF Boston's hopes. With one run across,
three men on bases and only one down
be forced Wood to pop up an easy hyI
70 second and made Harry Hooper fan.
Red Sox Score.
Boston scored first in the second inning
on Lewis single, a sacrifice hit, an IN
field out. and a wild pitch. Their second
run came in the sixth, when Gardiner
got his base on Morgan's error, and
scored on safe drives by Wagner and
Nunamazer.
washington scored three runs in the
third Henry was safe at first for 9
starter on wagner's low throw. Groom
famed. but NoeIler drew G pass Foster
singled and Speaker fumbled. Milan was
thrown out by Wood. but Schaefer
dumped a puny siDgle hack Of third, and
before Flynn forced Germany at second
three runs had been registered.
In the eighth the Nationals chaIked
three more. Jack Flynn led OF with a
long two-bagger over Speakers head
CUNNINGHAM dumped an intended sacri-
fee, but StahI tried TO make Hal Chase
play by shooting the ball across to third
and he lost both men, Morgan laced
single to center. Speaker tried to make
a quick play and force Cunningham at
second but the ball got by him. Morgan
going to third. while FLYNN had already
tailed. Morgan was held at third when
Wood threw Henry out, but Groom drove
two more tallies across with q second
safe hit