The Washington herald., 1913-08-19

johnson Booked on
Hill Against Maps
Smoke-ban King to Attempt His Thirteenth Straight
Win-Griff Happy Over Victory-Hopes
For Winning Streak.
.aspsesal to rhe Washington Herald.

Special TO he Washington Hefsh-
Cleveland. Ohio. Aug, 1S.-Manager 0rif-
nth was as happy as a small boy with
new tin whistle tonight over the gallant
uphill fight which resulted In q ten-in-
ming victory against the Cleveland Maps.
which club the Nationals claim as their
natural prey.
TT shanks keeps from getting hurt
again and am able to have him In the
lineup every day." said Grimth. Il feel
confident that with my pitchers, the way
they are going now, we will win the
majority Of our games from this time on.
All 1 want is one more long winning
streak. like the one We had last year. and
then watch us go after the Athletics.
'If we ever get on even terms with
Mack's team we will beat them to the
flag. believe our club is a gamer one
than Mack's, and a game ball club al
ways comes out on top when the real
test comes" Griff added.
The Old Fox slips into one OF these
optimistic moods frequently. especially
after hard-fought game; when the Ma
tionals have come through with hying
colors, as was the case this afternoon.
And as he usually does his talking sur
rounded by his young athletes, the ball
players themselves catch the spirit. which
nobody can deny is a bad. thing. for con-
fidence should be ball players best
asset.
Walter johnson will attempt to cele-
brate his thirteenth straight win when
he goes into the box against the Cieve-
land Maps tomorrow afternoon. The Dig
fellow has enjoyed three days rest. ana
declares that the lameness has entirely
left his salary whip. so that II he Is
Opposed to johnson will be Southpaw
Willie Mitchell. the young man who gave
us a beating the last time the Maps were
in the Capital. and 1t is the belief Of the
Washington players that Mitchell Ii just
about due for a fine drubbing. or the
same kind of medicine handed George
Dauss in Detroit last Saturday and
slipped to Fritz Blanding today.
howard Shanks Is still far from sound
on his right prop where his injured ankle
gives him trouble, but Griff says he needs
Shanks in the lineup and the Monaco
marvel is willing to do his best. Howard
connected for a pretty hit in the fourth
inning today, and should have gone to
second base on the blow. but feared to
take the chance.
Boehling hit a sIashing drive In the fifth
inning that would have cleared the right
field fence on the Florida Avenue grounds
in the Capital The ball struck within
three feet OF the top of the wire screen
and bounced back into Joe Jackson
hands. Boehiing got only an ordinary
single, as he loafed after rounding first
base and was thrown out, jackson to
Lajoie.
Joe Birmingham used poor judgment
when he substituted a green pitcher like
James during a critical stage Of the com
bat, as was the case this afternoon.
James was as white as a sheet. suffering
from a pain case OF stage fright. He
held the ball SO long before delivering
II that Grir shouted, why don't you eat
IL, YOU Rube?'' or words to that effect.
The Nationals will leave Cleveland i'm
mediately after tomorrow's game for St
Louis, arriving in the Mound City We'd
resday noon. No game Is booked for
Wednesday. the series Of three starting
the following day.
Eddie Foster has Just started to play
the kind Of ball that made him famous
all over the circuit last season. The
midget is hitting the horsehide on the
nose and giving a great exhibition In
the field.
Had the Nationals been so fortunate
a. to have had Foster m the lineup all
season the club would be much nearer
the top than 1t is at present.
For the first time in several years the
Nationals find Detroit a hot, dusty city.
with only a slight breeze blowing at
night to relieve matters a little.
Naturally the climatic conditions fur
nish splendid alibis for the local base
ball writer's. one of whom on Sunday
said that the Washington club. which
was used to toiling in the hot sun, dis
played all sorts of pep" while the poor
Tigers went crazy with the heat
The writer failed to add that Bob
Groom's pitching had something to do
with the Washington victory.
Joe Boehling and Harry Harper are
again '.roomies." and both southpaws
seem to get along nicely together. which
many consider strange.