Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-09
HAVE CHANCE TO
WIN BOTH GAMES
Groom and Johnson, Nation
ais Two Best TWirIers to
Work DoubIe-Header.
GRlFF MAY LET OUT
SOME MORE PITCHERS
Must Show Well on Next Ap-
pearanCe or They Will Be
Sent to the Minors.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

d
splendid chance for the Nationals to an
mex a double-header here today. This is
based on the fact that Griffith will have
two of his best pitchers on the rubber
in the double matinee-Groom and John
son-and If they display the same form
they did the last time out the Tigers
are not apt to roll up any large scores.
IL Will be six days today since John
son pitched a ball. He was given an
extraordinary long rest after beating
Ray Collins in that fifteen-inning strug-
gle in Boston, and il seems To be the
general impression that with much
rest Walter ought to be at his best,
though he is apt To be trif1e wild be-
cause of the lack of practice.
The last two times out Groom has
looked better than at any time this sea-
son. He has had everything, and abso-
lutely baffied the opposition. There is
no reason why he should show a re-
versal OF FORM
After disposing of Groom and Johnson,
Griffith is apt To find himself in a guam
Diary as to which of his other pitchers
70 use Thursday, though Boehling is sure
surprising if young Harper was given
chance against the Tigers Jennings
team is not particularly partial To south
paws anyway. and the one chance that
Harper has been given created the
impression that he has lot of ability.
1t would not be at all surprising III Dy
the time the Nationals return TO their
own grounds several members of the
present pitching staff would he drawing
salaries elsewhere. 1t all depends on what
sort of showing several OF the twirierS
make on the present trip. Another de-
feat for a couple of them will mean their
finish, so far as the Washington club is
concerned. They will be treated as was
Mullin. who. when he showed that he was
not there, was sent back to the minors
The Athletics are something like thir-
teen games ahead of Washington and only
eight in front of Cleveland. This under
ordinary circumstances is a remarkable
lead, but the season Is now but half over
and there is getting away from the
fact that the leaders none too well
supplied with pitchers There is still a
chance for the Athletics to be beaten, and
IL Is to be hoped that the Nationals will
take advantage OF this opportunity and
get into every game with heart and soul
and hustle.
Connie Mack is now on the eve Of the
second western invasion of the season
with the slmmest pitching staff in either
of the majo leagues. He began the cam
paign with ten strong The first blow come
when Jack Coombs was stricken with
typhoid fever in Boston two days after
the season began Coombs is now re-
operating at his home in Maine. The
next loss was the shipment of Cottrell to
the pitching staff temporarily was Herb
Pennock. He has not been able to do
any work since the Athletics returned
home from their first western trip, over
a month ago Herb. according to a state
ment by Mack last night, will not be in
harness again for a month. He has been
suffering from cold which is sure to
prevent his doing any pitching for long
while. Yesterday Mack sent Bill Taft to
Baltimore. This leaves the Athletics with
but six pitchers. Plank. Bender, Brown,
Houck. Bush and Wyckoff
IL is going to be a hard pull for the
White Elephants to come through their
long western trip in good order with
only these men on the hurting staff.
Mack may be able to land a pitcher
some time in the near future. but at
present ne mas not given out any
statement REGARDING whom he might get
Eddie Plank is now the only member
OF the Athletic pitching corps who
operates from the off port. Mack will
need another left-hander before the
season is over. and the chances are
that he will get him.
outside Of the pitching staff the Ath-
letics are all to the good. Their reg
ular infield Is going like streak on
the defense, and was never in better
form at the bat Furthermore there
is Harry Davis. who. with only ten
minutes notice. can go in a game and
play first. Then Bill Orr. the young
coast Lacquer, is one of the most ca
Fable utility infelders, ever possessed
by Mack. He is a good pinch hitter
and can play any position in the in
field.
In the outfield there is no doubt that
the Athletics are far stronger than
any other club in the American and Ma
tional Leagues. Oldring. Strunk Eddie
Murphy. Danny Murphy, Jimmy Walsh
and Pete Daley form a sextet de luxe and
unbeatable in every department.
Behind the bat the Athletics, with
Lapp Thomas and Schang. are just as
good as in any other branch which
means that they are right at the top
of the majors.
When the New York club traded Hal
Chase TO Chicago for Borton and
Zeider II virtually made Callahan a
present of one of the best ball PLAYERS
in the league. Borton failed absolutely.
and has been sent to Jersey City in
exchange for Jack knight. while Zeider
because Of injuries. He is valuable
player. however. when he is right, hut
he is hardly the equal of Chase in any
respect.
But Chase was let out because he was
getting too much salary. Hal is credit
ed with drawing 5000 per season. and
as the New York tea was down and ont
aud Chase was not helping il dra "
crowds through the gate. ii was thought
a wise move To get rid of him. But he
was a much more valuable man at that
than the two players that Callahan gave
Up for him.
Griffith figures on his team having a
good trip through the west. lie is con-