Evening star., 1912-04-12
DEFEATED LOCALS
SHOW A BIG IMPROVEMENT
Manager Griffith Very Mech Encouraged, as
It Was the First Time the Team
Looked Promising.

that O'LOughlin has seen any pitching,
and his judgment was decidedly poor,
and, unfortunately, he erred at the wrong
time and helped Coombs out of several
tight holes. The entire Washington team
made it. very plain that it did not think
we'll of Silks rulings, and, as a result of
their protests, Walker was ordered out
of the grounds. Griffith, too. was threat
ened for O'Loughlin had a chip on his
shoulder and seemed to be looking for
trouble.
With every game Eddie Foster looks
better at third base. He played beauti-
full game there yesterday, handling every
thing that came his way in a graceful
manner, while his throws were perfect.
In the fourth inning he made play
which won him the applause of the crowd.
McInnis. hard hitter, took vicious
swing at the bail, but sent 1t on slow
journey down the third base line as If he
tearing in, picked up the ball with one
hand and without even steadying him
self to throw whipped it underhanded to
first base in time to nail McInnis. 1t was
one of the best plays Of the day.
Philadelphia. like most towns which are
suffering with pennant-winning teams,
does not take the interest in the Athlet-
les that one would expect. There were
less than fifteen thousand in the stands
at the opening yesterday, though the day
was ideal. What was still more notice
able and shows a lack of interest was the
fact that after the Nationals had scored
two runs in the eighth and for the first
time had a look-in for the game. thou
sands of the spectators slowly made their
way out OF the park, as II firing of the
exhibition. Connie Mack is now in such
a position that his team would draw bet
ter if 1t met with a series of reverses.
The people have grown tired of seeing
the Athletics win, and there is lack of
interest in the team which is noticeable
in every respect.
Griffith did some real coaching yester-
day and he had to be cautioned several
times not to make personal remarks to
Pitcher COombs.a He was on the lines in
every inning encouraging his players.
George Mcbride, whose spiked leg is
still Very sore. played with shin guard
strapped across his shin IN order to pro-
teet- the injured member. Though he
suffers with the injury. Macs work did
not show II and his presence at short
field made the team look a whole lot bet
ter than it has during his absence.
Had Jack Flynn been able to come
through with hit in the ninth he would
have tied the score. With second and
needed to tie the score. he drove out a
long fly to left for which Strunk had to
hustle. But 1t was hit so high that he
managed to get under it not many feet
from the fence. Flynn played splen-
did game at first base. handling all sorts
of difficult throws. while his two-bagger
over Strunk's head really gave the
Nationals the only look-in they had dur
ing the afternoon.
Schaefer stole second in the ninth and
as the play was close he was forced to
slide right into Eddie Collins. who was
covering, throwing the local star several
sOmersaults. Collins was very much Of
Tended when he gathered himself togeth-
argument. what are you trying; some Of
| that Ty Cobb stuff?" queried Collins,
angrily.
Cobb stuff, nothing" was Schaefer's s
retort. Il have the right Of way and
| You or any one else wants to get out of
it if you don't want to get hurt
Macks players are always crying that
other players try to injure them simply
because they refuse to walk into the bags
and be touched out.
Dan Moeller played a splendid game in
left. He and Schaefer. IN fact, were the
| to have any trouble getting under fly
balls. All the other In and out fielders
| staggered under the balls, which the wind
| was handling rather roughly, and this
| probably accounts for the many nuns
made. f
| MoeIler also looked better at the plate,
and with any kind OF luck would have
| most needed. Barry did just manage tG
| reach his little fly. which had all the ear
! marks Of one Of those tantalizing Texas
: leaguers that cause so much havoc when