Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-10
BY j. ED GRILLO.

Realizing that without George Mcbride
in the lineup tomorrow the Nationals
chances for victory over the Athletics
will be decidedly decreased. every effort
Is being made to patch up his spiked leg,
so that he will be able to play.
The Nationals infield without the teams
captain in his position has demonstrated
in the last few games here that it cannot
be relied upon. No one is more anxious
to play than Mcbride. He donned a uni
form this morning and took a workout.
His leg is still very Sore. but he hopes
to be able to get in the game tomorrow.
II will play if I have but one leg to stand
on. IL they want me to-" said he, land I
hope to be in better shape than am by
tomorrow"
Because Ray Morgan has not shown
good form at short field in the games he
has played there. it was suggested that
he be shifted to third base and Foster be
sent to McBrides position. Griffith, how
ever. says that he would not make that
kind of a change. He wants Foster for
third base, and he believes that to switch
him away from that corner would prove
a great handicap to his developing in that
position. So that if Mcbride is unable to
play Thursday. Morgan will fill his place
Walter johnson and John Henry will be
the Nationals battery against the Ath-
IeticS tomorrow unless something unfOre-
seen happens. Johnson is believed to be
in good form now, though he has not yet
been asked to pitch more than six innings.
The team leaves here at 5:30 this after
noon for Philadelphia Musser. Guy john
son and Boehling will probably be the
0niy stay-at-hOmes.
Had it not been for some poor fielding
On the part of the locals yesterday they
over any former playing on the local
grounds this spring The team hit much
better. and. for time at least showed
more life than it usually has. but fielding
mispiays gave Brooklyn the victory
Groom and Hughes were not as effective
as they have been on former appearances,
probably because neither had the best of
control and had to aim them over which
usually results in hard hitting.
1t is very evident that no mistake has
been made in the retention of Jack Flynn.
The former Pirate is making good all that
was claimed for him. He plays the bag
well and is a cleanup hitter. Yesterday
he drove in four of the Nationals runs
with two three-baggers. and scored one
Of the seven himself. When Jack knight
gets to going with the bat he and Flynn
should prove dangerous pair for any
pitcher to face.
With enough pitchers in condition to
make good showing, and the team ex-
hibiting An inclination to do better with the
bat. all that is needed is to have Mcbride
at short, and there will be a fair chance
for the team to make good showing on
Its first trip. From all accounts the
Athletics are far from being at their
best just now, and II Griffith's team has
few breaks there it may prove a
surprise. The Yankees, too, are not set
ting things on fire and have been beaten
on numerous occasions this spring by
minor league teams.
Griffith is decidedly hopeful He looks
for his team to show much better form
on the trip which opens in Philadelphia
tomorrow than it has here in the exhi-
bition games. He sees a chance for get