Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-01
PLAYED GOOD BALL
THOUGH THEY FAILED TO WIN
Detroit Would Not Have Won Had the
Breaks Gone the Other Way
Other Gossip.

fence by yards. and, of course. netting
home run.
1t is most likely that Bob Groom may
pitch today, but there is chance that
Walter Johnson will be called on. II is
a noticeable fact that whenever the Ma
tionals lose a game and Walter Johnson
is available Griffith calls on him in order
TO turn the tide. He does not believe it
is good policy to take chances on any
OF the other pitchers under such cOndi-
tons. and he does not believe that any
thing should be overlooked. after a game
has been lost. which tends to bring the
team back on its feet. Walter has had
himself justice, SO that there need be no
surprise If he is called upon.
In Bill Louden. the young man who is
covering second base for the Tigers. Jen-
ningS seems 10 have found player who
in course OF time will more than fill Jim
Delehantys shoes. though he may never
be the hitter that was Del. But as
fieider he is showing considerable ability.
having played the last nine games with
out making anything that looked like an
error. The position Is new 70 Louden
but he Is learning rapidly. and has be-
come decidedly popular with the crowds
here as a result.
McDermott. a third baseman, secured
from Providence in the International
League. has joined the Tigers, and may
be given trial shortly because Deal
who appears to be a clever fielder, is lam
entably weak with the stick. Baschang
an outfielder. who appears 10 be very fast
on his feet, took Davy Jones place in left
yesterday He got one hit. but did not
look impressive at the plate for all that
The Detroit club has its scouts busy
sending in young players. as it Is the in
tention TO put in the rest Of the season
experimenting in the hope OF surrounding
the Tigers nucleus with such material as
is needed to make the team a pennant
contender.
Ray Morgan is in a bad batting slump
and this is proving a serious handicap
TO the team. Earlier in the season he
was one of the most dangerous hitters in
Griffiths lineup. which explains his posi-
ton in the batting order. where he fol-
lows Gandil. But for the past week or
so Ray has not been meeting the ball
as ne did. and the teams hitting is
weakened as a result. Yet Griffith has
not lost confidence In Morgan. and argues
that IL would be serious mistake to
take him out Of the game. He figures
that Morgan will return TO his batting
stride sooner or later and make up for
his present poor stick work.
There was time when defeat was
taken as a matter of course by the
Washington team. but that time has long
since passed. Now to be beaten causes
a gritting of teeth and swearing for
vengeance. 1t brings forth enforced de-
termination and makes the players real
ize that they will have to hustle all the
harder. 1t Is this fact which gives rise
to the hope that no prolonged slump is
apt TO overtake the team. II is not made
up of material which Is apt to become
discouraged and quit. The Nationals will
fight 1t out to the last ditch. and that
is usually the kind of team which man.
ages TO get along well.
Here in Detroit they believe Howard
Shanks to be one of the greatest fielders
In the league. He seems to have more
difficult chances here than anywhere In
the circuit and yesterday was by no
means an exception. On two different oc-
casions he backed up against the fence
and pulled down long flies. and on another
occasion he cut across and stopped LOU
den's line drive. holding II to a single
when 1t seemed good for at least two
bases. Shanks by reason OF his sensa-
tional work here has become quite a
favorite and he is appiauded even when
he accepts an ordinary chance
Ty Cobb did not fatten his batting ay-
erage at Cushions expense. while Craw-
ford went hitless during the afternoon.
Cobb got one hit and also struck out
once. The Tigers smuggling pair was not
| troublesome for Cashion in the least He
| seemed to be at his best when facing
them.
| Crowds always gather early when the
Nationals are scheduled to play. for the
/, fans want TO see Schaefer and Altrock In
their turn before the games begin. Alt
| rock was the center of attraction yester-
day lie gave ludicrous exhibition OF