Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-03

the most dangerous hitter in Griffith's
lineup. Morgan has come very fast. he
showed flash last season. but eventually
dropped off so that he had to be taken
out of the game. but this season he has
set fast pace and is keeping 1t up.
Johnson's long rest did not help him.
1t was a week last Friday since he had
been in a game and he plainly showed
the effects of his idleness. Furthermore,
JohnsOn's ankle. which was spiked py
Shotten in the game he worked against
the Browns, also still gives him some
trouble johnson pitched one of the
hardest games of the season. for. he had
to work every step of the way in order
to hold off the visitors. 1t was good
workout for him and in about four days
he ought to come back and display his
usual form. Johnson may not be called
upon to work against the White Sox, but
he is sure to be in against the Maps once
or twice, for he has some old scores to
square with Birmingham's team. which
has won several games from him this sea-
son.
1t is apt to be some days before John
Henry will be able to catch again. 1t is
thought that one of the small bones in
his foot is broken as result of being hit
by a foul tip in batting practice the day
before. The member did not bother
Henry much during the game, but he was
unable to put shoe on his foot and he
meantime Ainsmith and Williams will al
ternate behind the bat.
Clyde Milan is not enjoying a very good
year with the bat "Zeb' for some un-
accountable reason is not getting as many
hits as formerly. and his failure to hit
is doing much to reduce the offensive
strength of the Nationals. As rule Mi
Ian does most of his hitting during the
latter part of the season, and it is about
time that he was cutting loose
The first time up Gandil hit bounder
on the plate which he struck with his
leg as he was running for first and. of
course, was called out by Umpire Fer
SuSOn.
Sam Crawford had a very good day
against Johnson. getting three hits, one
double, in five trips to the plate He had
a chance to tie up the game In the ninth
when Bauman was on third with two out,
but after making several fouls he sent a
long fly to left which Moeller caught and
ended the game.
Crawford did not think that he would be
needed in the ninth and had gone into
the clubhouse to change his clothes when
he was called out to bat.
Cleveland has made a remarkable squirt
since coming east and has reached a
stage where it Is only seven games be-
hind the Athletics, who are leading
Seven games is quite margin, to be sure,
and there is no particular reason for
alarm among the followers of Mack's
team, but the Maps chances are brighter
now than they have been in some weeks
and, of course, the team feels encouraged
and is apt to have very good trip. The
series with the Athletics. which opens
tomorrow, is sure TO be OF the greatest
importance Birmingham will train his
best batteries against the leaders in an
effort to down them. but he will be
met by stubborn opposition and the series
ought to prove one of the most interest
ing of the season. As is usually the rule
when two strong contending clubs meet
the series may prove an even break, in
which event there ought to be a good
chance for the Nationals to gain ground
on one or both
1t is very plain that the Nationals need
alright pitching these days to make vic
tories possible. The team is not hitting
anywhere near where 1t should. and con-
sequently is getting but few runs. which
requires their pitchers to hold their OPP
ponents to a minimum in order to have
a chance to win.
With Engel showing good form. ana
Boehling sure to regain his with proper
rest Harper a chance Grimth is bet
ter supplied now than he has been, for
it is only a question of time when Walter
Johnson will be at his best again. and
he can win even If he is no better than
he was YESTERDAY But the hitting must
improve for the team to have q chance.
This will be done to certain extent
when Shanks gets back In the lineup.
and that will probably be In the middle
of this week. While ii is true that
Shanks is not a great hitter. he gets in
many timely blow. which has helped
his team. and besides his fielding makes
I'M a lot for his SHORTCOMINGS with the
stick
Ry his victory Yesterday Johnson has
brought his total wins up to twenty
three against four loses, anu ne mas once
more won ten straight games.