The Washington herald., 1913-08-17

d I. Mich, Aug. 16.-H the rain
holds UI, and it looks tonight as il De-
troit would be visited with showers on
the Sabbath, Joe Engel will be called
upon TO face Jennings Tigers in the last
game the Nationals will play here this
season, tomorrow afternoon.
Griff intended to start Tom Hughes, but
Engel begged so hard for a chance that
the Old Fox granted his request My
Poy Joe has been reading so much about
the doings OF the minor league twirlers
Griffith has signed for next season, thst
he wants TO demonstrate to the sattsfac-
ton of his manager that Joe Engel is
not the worst pitcher in the world
EnSel really is taking baseball seriously
and Griff has high hopes that the kid
will pitch winning ball during the re-
mainder of the season.
Bob Groom's success in battling the
Tigers today was due to a shift in his
usual style Of pitching. The Jungaleers
were laying back for Groom's curve ball
and passing up what they supposed was
his fast ball and splitter" Sir Rober:
after a good. long rest was feeling his
oats and every time he saw that an op-
posing batter was looking for a curve he
would invariably shoot fast straight
one in close or on the outside corner
and always neck high, with the result
that the enemy popped up flies or con-
nected for easy grounders. Only once
when Groom was in hole did he resort
to his spitball and this was during the
Detroit sixth, when, with second and
third loaded, with two out. Del Gamer
was at the bat. Bob got the batter
nervous with count of two and three
and shot over low splitter which Gamer
missed by nearly a foot, after taking
a vicious swing.
Groom's record thus far this season Is
eleven games won and twelve lost
Howard Shanks was in uniform today,
but warmed the bench. His ankle still
bothers him. and he may not get into
a game again for a week. Howard was
not missed for once, as Laporte not only
connected for a couple of hits and drove
in a run, but made one OF the most re-
markable running catches seen in this
neck of the woods for many a day.
Crawford slammed a low liner to left
field in the eighth inning. Laporte raced
nearly to the fence, stuck out one hand.
and speared the ball with his gloved
mitt.
Ray Morgan robbed Paddy Bauman Of
a two-bagger in the Tigers third inning
when he dashed back of second base and
grabbed Texas Lacquer which had all
the earmarks of sure-enough safe swat
when it left the bat.
In discussing Joe Boehlihg's recent
string of defeats after his brilliant list
of victories, Manager Griffith said: Il
never knew it to fail that after pitcher
had accumulated record by winning a
lot of games in a row, that when the
string was broken the pitcher was un-
able to start going again." He has lost
four or five games.
"Boehling is about due to start WIN
ming again, and with him, johnson, and
Groom pitching good ball we are going
up and take notice before we return
East"
The Nationals will leave via the 1:i5
boat for Cleveland tomorrow night. play
ing two games against the Naplanders
in the Forest City. Walter johnson Is
slated to pitch the Monday game, and
Joe Boehling will go against them on
Tuesday.
Pesident Navin today turned down cold
Grifith's proposition for Ty Cobb. DE
troit baseball fans would never forgive
me IL I sold Cobb" was Navin's rep,y
to the Old Fox as he returned Grifr's
check for 100000
II these baseball writers who came out
in bold-faced type denouncing Grifiith as
a notoriety seeker and four-fiusher when
the Old Fox made a bona fide offer of
$4,000 for Tyrus Raymond Cobb, tie
Tigers great outfieIder. would only Stop
to think for few seconds, the truth
would probably dawn upon them that