Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-01

lineup whom the Nationals have reason
to fear every time he faces the pitcher
it is Frank Baker. He got a hit
off johnson yesterday the first time
to to- the eu' delight light of f Johnso S team
mates. who blame him for the
many games the Athletics won from
the Nationals last season. Collins. an
the Nationals. failed to get the ball out
of the diamond and struck out the first
time up.
Bob Groom is slated to pitch the game
here today. Bob joined the team at Phil
adelphia last night. coming through on
the Federal express from Washington.
He had a talk with Manager Griffith over
the ong-distance telephone in the morn
ing and informed him that his baby boy,
who was injured by falling off porch,
was not as seriously hurt as was at first
believed and that he would rejoin the
team at once.
had men on the bases and it was under
such conditions that Johnson showed to
the best advantage. In the first inning
Murphy opened with a hit, but was
latter hit the first ball pitched at Gandil,
who turned 1t into double play. Baker
opened the second with single to right,
but Mc1nnis forced him by hitting to
Johnson and then both Daley and Barry
struck out.
With two out in the third Murphy was
walked. but Oldring popped up and there
was no danger, though Murphy had pre-
viously pilfered second. McInnis double
came in the fourth with two out, and Nc
Bride took care of Daley.
Milan made trouble for johnson in the
sixth, when he dropped Oldrings fly.
Oldring took second on the play and went
to third a passed ball, but Collins
popped up and with man on third
Baker famed
The last man to get on was Barry, who
hit safely with two out in the seventh,
and also stole second, but Johnson famed
Lapp and the trouble was over.
Ainsmith had a bad day in his throwing.
failing to nail single one of the several
runners who stole on him. Three bases
were stolen on him, and on each occa-
sion his throw was wide Of the mark, it
being all that Mcbride could do to knock
the ball down. For some unaccountable
reason Ainsmith's throw sailed to one
side or the other, where heretofore his
throwing has been right to the mark.
This, however, did not interfere with
handled Johnsons delivery in faultless
fashion.
Plank had Moeller and Morgan on his
staff. striking out each Of them three
times. Shanks went by the same route
twice, as did Ainsmith and Johnson.
Johnson is becoming more of an attrac.
ton every day. There was a crowd of
nearly 10000 out in Philadelphia yester
day, and many of them came because
assurance was given that Johnson would
pitch. He is very popular around the
circuit, too, and every feat of his is ap-
plauded
The several rainy days here gave Mack
a chance to send Plank in against John
son. something he would not have done
had the games been played In regular
order, and Johnson would probably have
had much easier game on his hands.
But. unlike most managers, Mack did not
consider Johnson's game as good as lost,
and sent his best pitcher in against him.
Plank until yesterday had not lost
game this season, having won three. The
old fellow, who is nearly forty years of
age, now appears to be in better shape
than ever before. and in the last two sea-
sons has won forty-eight games and lost
but fourteen, which Is surely quite rec
ord, but he was up against his master
Yesterday and his winning streak was
broken.
On what Boston and Philadelphia have
shown in the games against the Nation
ais 1t Is very plain that the pennant be-
tween these teams will be decidd by their
pitchers. Whichever of them presents the
strongest pitching staff will come very
near to winning out Neither of the teams
has anything on Griffith's aggregation.
True, they may rank higher up in hit
brilliant defense Of the Nationals and the
fact that they are a great base-running
team. But. of course. one great pitcher
cannot win a pennant. Johnson needs
help, and if the others will hold up their
end there is real hope for flag flying at
7th and Florida avenue next season.
When it comes to playing the game
from scientific standpoint, there is no
denying that the Nationals are the SUI
periors of any team they have met this
spring. and there Is no great reason for
fearing any of the western contingent in
this respect.
Plank started none too well and had
three men on in the very first inning,
yet no runs were scored. Moeller drew
pass and after he had been forced by
Milan at second Laporte sent up a little
fly which Daley muffed. Gandil came
through with his first hit and fine sacks
We're filled for Morgan. who hit weakly
to Plank and was out at first.
The Nationals really did not threaten
again until the ninth. when they won the
game, but in the meantime the Athletics
were peggfng away and adjoining the
bases quite frequently. But Johnson was
not to be discouraged and kept right at
his task, and eventually was rewarded
with victory.
When Milan opened the ninth with a
hit to left he paved the way for victory.
Laporte came up to bunt. but after max
ing one futile effort at this trick took a
swing and sent fly to Daley On the
hit and run play. Gandl hit to left
field for base and it was up to Morgan.
He got Plank down to three balls and no
strikes, but eventually whitfield On the
third strike Milan started for third and
Gandil for second. Lapp threw to Sec
ond, where no was covering and
Milan scored, while Gandil went all the
way to third. Eddie Ainsmith came along
at this stage with a clean-cut single to
left, scoring Gandil. Ainsmith died try
ing to steal.
Collins was the first man up in the
ninth and Morgan threw him out. Then
Johnson electrified the crowd by tanning
Baker for the second time, and just for
good measure he also struck out Nc
Innis. and the game was over.
The score:
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