Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-24
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

While the Nationals have made no gain
on Boston during the past month Boston
has really not increased its lead over the
locals on the whole. Griffith's team has
played Just as consistent ball as the
leaders who owe their present advantage
to a condition of the schedule which
gave them eleven straight games with
New York earlier in the season when the
Highlanders were about the weakest
team in the major league. Ten OF these
eleven games were won by Boston, ana
the advantage it gained by reason OF this
series has kept the team in the lead ever
since.
Eight games now separate the contend
ers. This Is quite a lead to be sure. yet
the season does not close until early In
October. and many things can happen In
the meantime. If Griffiths team can take
the majority of the four games 1t mas
to play here it should be in a good posi-
tion to gain on Boston. Following the
Browns, the Highlanders come Tor
three-game series. and then the Atnietics
for three more, including two on Labor
day. After that the team goes to Boston
for a four-game series, and it may hap
pen that this series viii decide the
pennant.
Griffith's team is now playing in its
u.
the hitting. which slumped for time, and
on the whole the pitchers are going
splenddly.
While RUDE AIarquard was making his
record of nineteen straight victories, he
admits growing so nervous that he was
threatened with breakdown. There Is
real occasion now for the Giants south
paw to do some more worrying for there Is
a good chance OF his mark being beaten by
Walter Johnson. who yesterday won MS
sixteenth straight. and with anything
like luck should win game from St
Louis and New York before he tackles
the Athletics and Bostons. Johnson is
showing good form these days, and II
would not be at all surprising If he beat
Marquard's record. and. In fact. set
mark which may never be equaled again.
His showing yesterday gave an idea OF
what Johnson could do ii he was push
cd. He struck out four of the first SIX
batters to face him. but very sensibiy
secured a comfortable lead. Johnson has
a long head on his shoulders. He cares
nothing for records so long as he can
win his games. He believes In saving his
arm, which he realizes is his great asset,
vet IL is safe prediction that when he
gets into the series with Boston he Will
take no chances, and pitch his best from
Start to finish.
1t has been many day since two MEM
bers of the local team have followed each
other with home runs as did roster ana
Moeller yesterday. The surprising feature
OF their performance was that Dubuc, the
Tigers star twirler. was their victim.
Fosters drive was along the lett neio foui
line and scored Milan ahead of him. ms
was followed by long drive by Moelier
far over eCobb's head which allowed hlnl
TO make the circuit easily.
But the longest hit Of the day came IN
the final inning of the second game, When
cobb hit ball on top of the storage
~f ~
This was undoubtedly the longest hit
that has ever been made on the local
grounds
For the first time In several weeks
cashion lacked control yesterday. yet
when he managed to get the bail over
he was very effective. The trouble win
Cashion yesterday was that he suddenly
developed an exceptionally large cg mS,e
ball which he could not control rms
kept him in constant hot water. and on
several occasions threatened to cost MIN
the game Griffith. however, refused 10
make change OF pitchers; lie Hsuleu
that pitching the game would be OF great
benefit to Cshion. who needs eXer1ence
The Griffith system of pairing his catch
ers with certain pitchers works we'll Be-
cause Ainsmith had caught Johnson In
the first game Henry was assigned TO
Cashion. Henry never had harder day;
Cashion was wild 8 march hare ana
Henry was nit on JNc SHlHe Auu hHccS
several times with wild pitches In the
eighth Ainsmith went in behind Cashion
and he Immediately steadied down ana
pitched his best ball
Eddie Foster gave another clever ex-
hibition of place hitting In the first in
ming of the second game. Milan had
walked and started for second when Bush
left his position to cover the bag. Foster
hit right through Bush's former station
for a base hit though the ball just man
aged to roll through to the tneld and
would have been an easy out had Bush
remained in his position.
II the Giants win the pennant. many
base ball sharps will adhere to the opin-
ions that the Cubs have the better base
ball machine. says the New York Sun. In
Pact. some of the National League club
owners are pulling for the Cubs for the
reason that they believe the Chicagos
would make a stronger fight against the
winners OF the American League pennant
in the worlds series. With the Giants
facing the Red Sox or the Senator's. IL Is
wondered how McGraws men would fare
against either Joe Wood or Walter john
son. both Of whom are believed to be far
superior in skill to lurid Lou Richie. In
view Of the backsliding of the New Yorks
in the past six weeks. II is readily seen