Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-20
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, September "a better hold
on second place was made possible by
the Nationals Yesterday. when they won
the third straight from the Browns, while
the Athletics were suffering a shut-out
at the hands of the White SoX Grifith's
men now have game and half lead
on their rivals for the runner-up position
in the pennant race, and unless there Is
great reversal of form this lead should
be increased before the season closes. for
the team is playing a igh-class article
of ball just now.
Hamilton, undoubtedly the best left
handler in the league, a pitcher who has
proven a stumbling block to all corners
during the past few months, was sent In
to stop the advance of the Nationals.
He failed, notwithstanding the fact that
he struck out fourteen of Grifhth's bat
tiers. 1t was the lot of old Tom Hughes
to turn the trick, and had the veteran
received the support he was entitled to
he would have been credited with shut
out Neither of the two runs the Browns
scored in the opening round should have
crossed the pan had Hughes teammates
done their share.
After four days rest Walter Johnson
is slated to work against the White SoX
today. 1t is likely that Cicotte will
oppose him, and with luck breaking even
another victory should be added to the
Nationals string. In fact, Grlmth is
confident that he will take two out of
three from the Chicago aggregation, and
if he does his chances for finishing sec
ond will be bright indeed.
Though Hamilton established the sea-
,nrI-
can League in the game yesterday,
when he famed fourteen, he did not
pitch near as good a game as Hughes,
who incidentally was credited with
eight strike-outs Hamilton as usuai,
pitched a brilliant game of ball, but he
could not go the route. He has been
worked so much that nine innings have
| become too much for him, and this was
particularly noticeable yesterday dur
| ing the last three innings, when the
Nationals made seven Of their nine hits.
! Up to this time but two hits had been
made of his delivery, and one OF these
! was scratch, yet the Nationals had
| been able to tie the score. thanks to a
couple of misplays by his support.
Hughes pitched exactly an opposite
game from that Of his opponent in that
| he improved as the game progressed,
| and he was at his best during the clos
! ing innings.
Because Hamilton. left-hander, was
pitching Griffith figured that he would
strengthen his forces by working Ken
! worthy in Moeller's place. but the
| youngster who has not had much of a
| chance to get into the game. proved
dismal failure. 1t was his weak effort
| on Shotten's fly in the first inning thai
gave the Browns two runs, and out of
| five times UP he struck out on four oc-
casions, Hamilton making mark of
him.
| 1t may prove a serious mistake on the
part of Stovall to waste two such pitchers
as Allison and Hamilton in a forlorn
hope. He is overworlSing these two
youngsters in an effort to win games
when he should be storing them away for
! next season. Both of the brilliant young
| performers are showing the effects OF
overwork. while flock of youngsters are
growing fat sitting on the benches. There
their position. They cannot possibly fin
ish higher than seventh, and they should
be planning for next year. But the de-
sire to win game or so in order to help
the weak attendance may prove serious
detriment to the teams chances for next
season, because the young pitchers who
have proved their ability are being
wasted
George McBride's ability as coverer
Of second base was never better demon
strated than yesterday, when on three
different occasions he caught wide throws
who were attempting to steal. In the fifth
inning he was applauded by the small
crowd which is attending the games IN
ST. Louis for his one-handed catch of
high throw from Williams. and touching
Pratt who was attempting to steal. 1t
was one of the cleverest plays of the day.
Most any sort of a catcher can make good
on the Washington team with Mcbride
covering the bag. He seems able to make
most any sort of a reach, catch the ball
and with the same motion touch the run
ner, and what is most surprising he is
never being spiked, though he has to take
all sorts of chances.
Eddie Foster was the only member Of
his team who was not retired on strikes
during the game. Every one OF his team
mates fell a victim to Hamilton's de-
ceptive curves on one or more occasions.
even Williams striking out the first time
UP, though he came through with base
hit at a time when it was much needed
Hamilton. If properly handled. should be
one of the best pitchers in the league
to beat right now. though he has any
thing but good team behind him.
While there may be nothing sensational
about Tom Hughes pitching. he has
proved himself very valuable man to
have around and there is not chance of
Griffith letting him get away. Hughes
was the teams mainstay during the
period when Johnson was i'll last summer
and while he had his off days, this was
most likely brought about by his bein :
overworked. but when Hughes is given
plenty of chance to rest between games
he is about as good a pitcher as Griffith
has. being able to win a large percentage
| of his games. though he cannot be used in
too many games.
1t was probably fortunate that Business
Manager Fowler came to st. Louis with
sufficient funds to pay his way out, or he
| would have had to draw on the home Of
/ fee for money The attendance at the
Browns park is undoubtedly the worst
| in the history of the American League.
| On Wednesday. with double-header
slated, with team which has been up in
| the race all year, few over 1000
| paid their way into the park. and yes
| terday there were hardly 1.2OO on hand.
i st. Louis has tired of supporting los
| ing teams and unless Hedges can get a
winner he is sure to lose all the money he
| made during the few prosperous seasons
| he had here. From present indications
there is no immediate danger Of his team
crowding the first division teams for some
! time yet.
| In both the third and fifth innings
Il 81. E,~A