Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-11
FIRST GAME GOES
TO GR|FF'S TEAM
Brilliant Struggle Decided
When MoeIIer's Single
Brings Home Two Runs.
Johnson AT HIS BEST
WHEN RUNS Threatened
Splendid Support Given Both
Pitchers Holds Scoring
Down.
BY J. ED GR1LLo.

It was a typical base ball game which
inaugurated the season here yesterday.
No more uncertain contest has ever been
played here on opening day, and only
after the last man had been retired was
their first victory.
Time and time again during the nine
innings both sides threatened to score,
yet there were only two instances In
which the coveted goal was reached. New
York, having scored in the initial round,
held an advantage until the seventh in
ming. With each inning that one tally
grew in size, for, though the locals had
innumerable opportunities to tie the score
or forge to the front during the first six
innings. something always happened to
snuff out their chances. Real hard luck
prevented TALES in both the first and
fourth innings when line drives were in
tercepted by the visitors infielders and
rallies prevented. 1t was not until the
seventh inning that the tables turned,
and then a we'll placed base hit by Noel
Ter on the first ball pitched sent two
runs over the plate and gave the Ma
tionals the advantage, which they held to
the end.
Notwithstanding the inclement weather
w
messed the game, which proved one of
the most interesting struggles seen on
the local diamond In many day. The
wonderful Walter Johnson and the tall
George Mcconnell opposed each other.
johnson was not at his best, yet he per-
formed brilliantly. Johnson is never con-
sidered in form when an opposing team
gathers eight base hits off his deiiv-
cry in game which does not go over
the regulation nine innings. But John
nr.fp n
pitching is nevertheless brilliant. Base
hits were charged against him quite fire.
Quently yesterday, and yet none came
when they would have produced runs.
The only tally charged against him came
in the opening round, without being help
ed around the circuit by anything that
resembled a base hit. But that one run
proved an almost insurmountable handi-
cap for the greater part OF the game, Tor
no matter how hard his teammates tried
to get on an equal basis with their rivals
it seemed that fate was against them
and when the seventh inning rolled
around that one tally still held full sway.
Mcconnell Not Hit Hard.
Mcconnell was not hit as hard as john
son, but he had one inning in which he
wavered, and by taking advantage of
his little off spell the Nationals man
aged to win the game.
Several times before this inning OPP
portunities had been offered to win the
game with a base hit, but even when
the ball was hit hard on such occasions it
was right at one of the waiting fielders,
and the result was that several rallies
which threatened to at least tie the
score were nipped in the bud by some
miraculous play.
The first of these came in the very
opening innings, which Moeller opened
auspiciously by drawing pass. He stole
second. and went to third while Foster
was being thrown out by HartZell. but
when Young reached out and grabbed
Milan's line drive, Moeller had started
for the plate, and it was an easy matter
to toss the ball to third and complete
double play.
Worse luck was in store for the locals
in the fourth. when, after two were out
and the bases were filed. not run
was scored, though Shanks hit the ball
hard and seemed assured of q base hit.
This time the ball hit Hartzell's hands.
1t was hit too hard to be handled. bound
ed out and rolled a few feet away, but
was recovered in time for Hartzell to
touch third base in time to force Nor
gan and retire the side.
The next chance came in the fifth.
when second and third were again Occu-
pied after two were out. as result of
singles by Moeller and Foster, each of
whom stole second. But Moeller ven
tured too far from the bag and was de-
clared out when Mcconnell threw there.
Tho vie HrSf rim came "A h