Evening star., 1912-07-20
BY J. ED aRILLo.

The fght for the American League pen
nant is gradually narrowing down be-
tween Boston and Washington. As yet
the advantage which Boston has held for
these many weeks has not been cut down,
but thanks to the tenacity of Griffith's
team the Red Sox have been unable to
strengthen that lead durir the past two
three weeks.
The battle between the two teams is
now largely one of gameness. The one
which can stand the strain the longer is
the one which will come out on top, and
there is naturally always a greater bur-
den on the team which is leading than
on the runner-up
There is a chance for the Nationals to
gain a game on the leaders today, how
ever. If Grifith's men can beat the
Browns there is every reason for be-
lieving that big Ed Walsh. who beat the
leaders a few days ago, will work again
in Boston today, and as he appears to
be in good form there is chance for him
to score another victory
Yesterdays dual victory over the
Browns allowed the Nationals to draw
farther away from the Athletics. who
broke even with Detroit. and consequent
ly fell back full game behind the Ma
tionals. Griffiths men should win from
the Browns again today. Walter john
son may do the pitching, though there is
chance of his being reserved for Detroit
Monday. thus enabling him TO work In
two of the four games that the Tigers
play here. II Griffith cides to take this
chance he will work either Petty or Engel
th,s afternoon. and keep Johnson in re-
serve for any emergency that may arise.
Carl Cashion seems to have reached
that stage where he can be worked regu-
lar.y and deliver the goods. The big fel-
ows performance yesterday was by far
the best he has shown this season. he
was in trouble only once during the nine
innings, and then he looked better than
at any other time. In the second inning
he walked a couple of men, and 4 safe
onnt filled the bases. yet but one run was
scored. After that he handled h mself
ike veteran. displayed good control
and plenty Of stuff with which II fool the
opposing batsmen.
Control is all that Cashon has ever
acked and ne seems to be mastering it
low. He has an ideal disposition for
pitcher. because he is game as pebble
and does no; allow anything to rattle
lim. II Cashion can go along the re-
'orm ne did yesterday he will greatly
trSngthen the Nationals chances for the
Chick Gandii gave one of the best eXhi-
oitions of frst-base play yesterday that
has ever been witnessed on the local
grounds. His capture of all sorts of
hrovs and picking up OF hard-hit ground
.rs into his territory was done with such
Ease and grace that they did not attract
he attention that such brilliant work
Usually does
Gandl is gradually convincing every
one that he is the star first basenan in
he league, not even barring Chase. He
not as Spectacular a performer as the
New York star, but he makes the same
plays that does Chase with much less os-
is H.
oerior az q base runner and hitter and
n every way is more valuable TO a ball
cam.
Barring that fifth inning the veteran
lack Powell pitched clever 2 game as
has been seen here in some time. but the
Nationals solved him in that one round
md drove the ball to all corners of the
OF for four runs, which proved more than
enough to win But In all the other in
lings Powell seemed to he the master of
he situation.
Groom on the other hand, did not en-
counter a poor inning He pitched bril-
iantly from start to finish and was never
n danger.
Milan added three stolen bases TO his
list, thus further strengthening his claim
to the base-running honors of the league.
In the third round of the second game he
stole second and third in rapid success
sion. and in the following inning he Pilfer-
ed second once more. Milan is now so
far ahead of the other stealers in the
league that there is but little chance to
overhaul him, and the probabilities are
that the suit of clothes he waSered with
Jim Mc-tlcer last spring that he would
cad the league in base running will adorn
his wardrobe when the season is over.
Unless a lot of good judges miss their
guess. Ray Morgan is going TO develop
into a cracking good second baseman.
Ray is playing the position better with
every game and he has been doing some
sensational fielding of late. BY the time
the season is over he ought to be finished
In the position. and next season he ought
to be q star.
The loss Of the last game Wednesday
seemed to have had an invigorating effect
IN the Nationals. and they showed better
,ustllng procliyities yesterday than they