The Washington herald., 1912-07-05
Griff'S Climbers Can Pass Ath-
leticS If Champs Break Even
with Boston.
ENGEL TO PITCH TODAY

The Nationals stand a good chance Of
slipping into second place in the league
standing after to-dAy's game against the
Highlander The present winning
streak OF Grlfr's Climbers has brought
the club UP TO within seven points OF
the Athletics. holders OF the second
place berth, and as Philadelphia and Bos-
ton play a double-header to-day an even
break is the logical outcome.
II Boston and the Athletics split and
the Nationals defeat the New York
Highlanders Grimths Climbers will
jump into second place with a one-point
margin.
With Moeller and Morgan back in the
Nationals lineup yesterday, the team
put up a different article Of ball than
the brand on tap while this pair was
warming the bench.
Grin believes that the batting slump is
over. and that his youngsters Will again
play the whirlwind ball manifested dur
ing that never-to-be forgotten Western
trip.
I'VE are going to make q clean sweep
Of the New York SERIES" declared the
Old Fox last night, and then come the
Western teams. none OF whom have any
license to beat US when we are going
at top speed. and We will just get started
again when they come here
The pennant bee Is still buzEing in
Grih's bonnet. He cannot see why the
Nationals have not just as good chance
as either Boston or Philadelphia for the
American League championship. and fig
ures that Washington will be neck and
neck with the leaders next fall, and with
any sort Of lucky breaks should nose out
in front. It is needless TO add that the
majority OF GrifT's players feel the same
way about the matter.
Manager Gnfth intended to start Joe
EngeI, the local boy, in the box yester-
day morning, but at the last minute
changed his mind and pitched Cashion-
Last night Grin stated that Engel
would surely start the final game Of the
series to-day, so the fans should turn
out in goodIy numbers 10 give the young
ster the encouragement he deserves.
The afternoon game yesterday was an
other remarkable exhibition, featured
with . similar record credited George
Mcbride in the Anal game Of Wednes-
days double bill. Neither Mcbride or
Roach. at shortstop, had a single chance
to handle the ball.
Talk about your Swat MiIligan stories!
The debut Of young Roach here yester-
days double bill. Neither Mcbride nor
run, the first time at bat, was another
record. A strike-out is usually the fate
OF a youngster when he comes to the bat
for the first time in fast company.
Hal Chase will only be out Of the
game about ten days, according TO Train
er Barrett. as the sprained ankle is not as
serious as was first supposed, and with
ten days: complete rest, Barrett declares,
Hal Chase can again play ball.
Gabby Streets attempted steal OF third
base in the eighth inning OF the game
yesterday brought the old-t!mers back
to John Anderson's famous steal Of sec
ond with the bases loaded.
Street said after the gam that he had
forgotten all about FO-d beng IN third.
II went down to second on Groom's
wind-up," stated Gabby, ''as the Ma
tionals were playing for the batter, and
thought I would have the laugh on
Bob by sneaking to third. Imagine my
surprise when ran into Russell Ford.
who said to me, What are you doing
down here?' Then it dawned upon mel
that I had pulled an awful bone-head-
ed play, anu L llhAlhGA my SNaAS NAoN
the batter had sent up a foul fly. which
permitted me to scramble back to sec
ond base"
The incident was 30 ludicrous that
Umpire BIZ Evans nearly eonvulsed with
laughter.
wolverton is very bitter toward Pitcher
Caldwell. whom he has suspended in
and fined $50. Il nursed Cald-
well a long while, he had a lame arm"
the Yanks' leader, and just
At the time when he Is ready to pitch
again he breaks all training rules and
throws me down. won't stand for this
from any ball player"
Manager wolverton. Of the shot-to-
pieces Yankees received word from Ban
johnson last night that the three days
suspension imposed upon the leader Of
the Highland clan while the club was