Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-24
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Though the Nationals have been Grip
pied most of the season, and have been
forced to struggle along with a pitching
staff that has had but one consistent per-
former, thu team is still occupying third
place. All things considered, it is really
remarkable that so high position should
still be held, and 1t leaves much room for
speculation just where the team would
now be had it had luck enough to have
it's lineup intact all spring.
There is but little difference in the
standing Of the Nationals today and what
it was just year ago, as is shown by
the following figures:
Washington June a. 1912 36 u $50 I'd
Washington, June "a 1918. 3S % .541 Sd
With all the bad breaks the Nationals
have had they are but 40 points behind
last years record, when they were hold
ing second place To date the team has
not enjoyed one of it's winning streaks.
yet 1T may stumble into one at any time
now that the club is again intact and
showing signs of playing in it's normal
form. If Griff1ths pitchers show improve
ment from this out there is still chance
Tor the team to cut figure in the race.
1T is still contender. though it has
al sorts of bad luck and has beer plug
gins along with a pitching staff that has
not made good as a whole.
When the present week is over it
Will be possible to get some line on
the locals chances. Seven games are
scheduled. the one today with New
York and six in four days with the
Athletics. An even break in these
games would keep the Nationals within
hailing distance. Should a majority
or these games be won, it would be
very apt to strengthen their hold on
third place and put them nearer to
cleveland. the runner-up. which team
has shown signs of breaking down of
late II during the remainder of the
season Walter Johnson can have the
assistance of three other members of
the pitching staff there is brilliant
chance for the Nationals to be just as
prominent at the end of the present
campaign as they were last season.
While there has been much complai int
by the fans over the showing of the
team this season. the figures show that
1T is not far behind the standard 1T set
last season, when the club was intac
the greater part of the time.
Yesterdays postponement has not
caused any change in the plans OF
either manager. Chance will not de-
eide until this afternoon whether he
Will pitch Ford Mcconnell while
Griffith has made no switch from Boeh-
| ling. In order to give the Yankees a
chance to catch train for Boston. to-
| days game will be called at o'clock
| 1t is more than likely that Johnson and
Mullin will do the pitching against the
| Athletics in the double-header tomorrow
| AS there is another double bill the fol-
| lowing day, Griffith may bring Groom and
| Hughes into the fray. This will exhaus,
| the experienced end of his pitching staff
and he will probably be forced to worl,
| BOehling or one of his other youngsters
right back Friday. while there is a pos
sible chance of Johnson being ready again
Saturday. This is surely going to be the
| most strenuous week the Nationals have
had TO encounter this season. though of
course, 1t will not be a period of play for
the Athletics. either