Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-04
BY J. ED GRILLo.

There will have to be marked improve
ment in the Nationals showing on their
own grounds If they are to have the
slightest chance to beat Cleveland in the
race. To date the teams best work has
been on the road, while its playing at
home has been far below its real stand
ard. Unless there is change IN Its
showing here there is no chance for
better position in the race. Barring three
games which will be played in New YORK
late this month, all the Nationals otner
engagements are at home. ordinarily
this would be considered an advantage,
but for some unaccountable reason CRIT
fiths team has never shown at ITS best
at home, thought the stretch OF games
which opens here today may show re-
versal Of form.
1t is more than likely that Bert Gallia
will be given his first chance OF starting
game today Griffith has decided to
allow him to face the Highlanders, and
it is expected that his showing Will be an
agreeable surprise. Gallia has SHOWN
wonderful improvement in practice OF
rounded into the form which was ex-
pected OF him when he was purchased
from Kansas City. Griffith intends to
manipulate his pitching staff so that ne
will have his best twirlers ready by the
time Cleveland comes here. He figures
that if he can win a majority of the
games from the Maps that second place
will be assured
The Nationals failure to hold their
own when pitted against the Athletics is
entirely due to the fact that Griffith s
team does not play up to its standard in
these games. It punches all its poor
base ball into the occasions that 1t faces
the Mackmen. which accounts for the In
Vulnerable defeats it has suffered at their
hands.
There is but slight chance of the
Athletics being beaten in the present
race. The team seems to have the pen
nant cinched, but whether 1t will be able
to beat the Giants, if they are their op-
ponents. in the worlds series is ques-
tionable. Mack's pitching staff is
doubtful quantity. though aside from this
department the team Is stronger than II
has ever been. In Murphy Mack has the
best lead-off man he has ever had. and
Schang is by far the most capable catch
err the Athletics have ever been able 10
boast Of But there Is some doubt abou,
the pitching strength. None of the
youngsters appear strong enough to hold
their own. and Bender and Plank are
not the pitchers they were year or SO
ago. On form the Giants appear to have a
providing, of course, that McGraw can
present some effective pitching.
Carl CaShion is sure to pitch In one OF
the games against the Highlanders. The
big fellows pitching arm seems to have
entirely recovered. and in the two work
outs he took in Philadelphia he con-
WINGED Griffith that he is ready once
more to show what he can do on the
rubber.
Chick Gandil is to be presented with a
by the Woodman Of the World at Cherry
dale, Va. this evening. The cup is an
,eiabonots affair standing fourteen inches
EAfx63 Gandii fs a. resilient of Cherrydale
and also member Of the order referred
to.
Had Bob Groom been accorded good
support he would have won the final
game from the Athletics and thus the
| Nationals would have secured an even
were one more against Groom and he
was beaten after pitching splendid
game Of ball. Mack started with Brown,
but found 1t necessary to take him out
and substitute Bender. The Chief was
hit much harder than the score would in
dictate. but managed to prevent more than
one run from scoring and won his game.
Baker. as usual, was the stumbling
block, his hit giving the Athletics the
run they needed to win.
Jim Shaw, the young pitcher secured
from York Of the Tri-State League, put
in his appearance this morning, and it
is not unlikely that he will be worked in
one OF the games against the New York
team.
Frank Chance has made many changes
in his line up since the team made its
last appearance here, and as q result
the Yankees are playing much better
grade of ball. While the team is still
far from being among the strongest in
the circuit, II is now able to give a good
account of itself, and the Nationals are
not apt to have easy sailing in the series
which opens here today.
The Nationals played nineteen games
during their stay away from home and
they won eleven Of these. This is not
near as good showing as was expected.
though up to the time they reached
Philadelphia they had not lost series
to any of their rivals. But the three
defeats suffered against the Athletics
cut down the winning record quite a
little though team which wins a ma
jority OF Its games on foreign grounds
is always credited with doing good
work.
After securing two-run lead in the
first inning yesterday the Nationals were
! headed in the second inning. when the
Athletics scored three runs Groom got