The Washington times., 1913-07-16
SIX HIT JOHNSON
IN HIS FIRST GAME
Now Famous Pitcher Passed
But One in Debut With the
Washington Team.

Walter Johnson's first appearance in
an American League game for Washing
ton was on August 2, 1907, against De-
troit. August 2 next, he again faces
Detroit We all know what walter II
row, but few remember him In 1901
Here IL q description Of that 4rst game:
"The absence Of all judgment on the
bases caused the defeat of the Nationals
and incidentally Walter johnson. the
Detroit Tigers taking the game by to
walter johnson, the Idaho phenome-
non. who made his debut In the big
league Yesterday showed eonciusivsiy %
young pitcher who has recently broken
into fast company. He pitched eight
innings and was only taken out then
because Il was deemed best to allow
the heet-footed Blankenship hit, for him
when II looked like the local club had
chance to tie the score or forge ahead
in the ninth.
During his reign on the mound,
johnson allowed but six hits and passed
but n single batter. Three Of the half
dozen bingies were scratchy. He had
o1nd ne s
az any pitcher they have faced on their
trip.
Only Sign Of Weakness.
"The only signs of weakness was in
fielding his position. and It was this
falling that gave Detroit its tally In
the second inning.
HAD the Nstion:ls played brainy
have overcome the handicap they were
placed under in the first. In that ses--
sion Mil had connected for q three
bagger. when Altfxer came to the bat.
The latter hit short ny to right,
who threw Mi out, trying to score.
This was probably the fatal move of
Neither side scored in the first, the
batters being retired In order II was
i.a Il the hi: saus anI I tess Cobb
through him, reaching first in safety.
Rossman also laid down q bunt, on
which Cobb took third, from where he
scored 9S sS1S 1oS1 y so Synsr
ling. but In tho fourth, with one out,
Cobb was again allowed to reach
hrst when Altizsr made q poor throw
70 that base. Rossman flied out. and
Cobb stole second and third The
young twirier from Idaho arose to
by tanning Towns.
VAeS4y AAt yVuuSVos
I'm the NTH OLeary made the first
clean hit off johnson when he singled
to center. Eiever sacrificed him to
second. but Jones was thrown out
-sievers developed a wild spell in
the sixth and walked Heydon. John
son made q perfect bunt, but allowed
the ball to hit him. He was declared
out and Heydon was sent back to
nrst. clymer famed. but Ganley drew
right. which fell safe. allowing Hey
don to score. When Ganley tried to
reach the plate he was thrown cut.
with one out In the seventh,
Downs grounder bounded over Att
ser's head: schridt hit safely into
second. Downs took third on the play
and OLeary stole second while John
son held the ball The young pitcher
was equal to the emergency. how
ever, for he struck out Sieyer.
'Crswford's terrific line drive, which
went to the scoreboard in the eighth.
was good for circuit. and the Tigers
went run ahead of the tied score,
The eighth inning looked like run
getter for the Nationals. shipke started
the batting with q single to right. Hey
made a perfect throw to second. but
o'Leary dropped the ball. and Shipke
was safe at second and Heydon at first.
Blankenship batted for johnson, and
laid one down along the third.base line.
advancing both runners and dying at
first. Clymer and Ganley struck out.
Hughes Pitched Ninth.
Hughes pitched the ninth. and
Rossman singled to right, taking Sec
ond when Downs bunted down the
first base line, Hughes throw hit
ting him. Mil recovered the ball in
time to throw Rossman out at the
plate. OLeary's single scored Downs.
Siever and Jones struck out.
The score should have been tied
when Washington went to the bat
in the ninth With one out. Jones
singled and Mil hit into right field,
the ball getting away from Cobb. and
Jones scoring. Mil took third on the
play. Altizer gave the signal> for the
squeeze, but failed to touch the ball
and Mill was caught between the
bases. Altiser then hit safely to CEN
ter and Coughlin fumbled Sh!pke's