Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-26
NATIONALS OFF ON
THEIR LONGEST TRIP
Griffith's Team Scheduled to
Play TWenty-Eight Games
Before 1t Returns.
GREAT RALLY EVENS
SERIES WITH BOSTON
Timely Hitting Gives Fans a
Chance to Exercise Their
Vocal Cords.
BY j. ED GRILLO.

The Nationals left here this morning
on one of the longest trips that the team
viii be asked to make this season. Six
or the seven cities will be visited and
before the team returns to its own
grounds 1t is scheduled to play twenty
eight games. Eight of these will be
PLAYED In the east at Philadelphia and
Boston. then four games will be played
In each OF the western cities. after
which the team returns to Philadelphia
for four-game series, and then returns
home.
That the teams standing at the end of
the campaign will depend largely on
what sort of q showing it makes on this
Trip Is generally recognized. To get an
even break in these twenty-eight games
would be an exceptionally good showing,
and to win a majority of the games
would be sure to keep the team IN
within hailing distance of the leaders.
But 1t Is not going to be an easy task
The one CLEAN of consolation comes in
the fact that Griffith has a splendid road
team. Last season it was the good work
of the Nationals away from home which
gave them their good standing in the
race This year they have done even
better. having Won every one of the four
games they have played on foreign
grounds.
Much. of course. will depend on what
the pitchers do. Johnson, of course can
De relied upon, and there is no doubt
that both Hughes and Groom will show
good form. but this trio alone will not
be able to keep the team in the race
for the work will tell on them so that
some of the youngsters must come
through.
Today the team is scheduled to play
in Philadelphia. Tom Hughes is 10 pitch.
and as Plank worked agains New York
yesterday that troublesome fellow is out
OF the way for the time being at. least
1t has been many a day since a local
did yesterday. IL ever team seemed
badly beaten it was the Nationals up to
the eighth inning. The fans had sort of
resigned themselves to their fate and
feit satisfied that the one run which
had been scored In the seventh would
prevent the humiliation of a shut-out
But situations change unexpectedly in
base ball. and what seemed like a for
Torn nope one minute was a winning
rally in the very next 1t was a splendid
tribute to the teams never-say- die tao
tics 1t struggled on under the most dis
couraging conditions and was finally re-
warded with victory. President Wilson,
not unlike every one in the Enclosure,
cheered and applauded during that eighth
inning.
Not since Dan Moeiler became a MEM
Der of the team has ne played the SPLEEN
did ball that he has put up this spring
On what ne has shown in The games the
Nationals have played this season he
compares favoraby with any outfieIder
in the league Not only is ne hitting like
a fiend getting three hits again yester-
day, but he Is running bases with judg-
ment and fielding his position in fine
style, Ii was Moeller's screeching double
in the eighth which started the Nationals
on the road TO victory. Moeller is the
most wonderfully improved ball player
since last season in the league and he
ranked well up with the stars his very
first year In.
Buck OBrien was never better than
during the first six innings yesterday
He had terrific speed and was as ner
unhittable as a pitcher can be. He struck
out twelve while he was officiating and
struck out the side In order I'm both the
first and second innings. But OBrien,
like many other pitchers. is under a ter
rific strain when he let's himself out.
and he gradually weakened and began
to slip in the seventh. He was given a
lively reception in the eighth and Hall.
who finished the round. was not treated
bit better.
Schaefer proved himself the mascot.
He was sent TO bat for Boehling in the
eighth. and Gardner fumbled his hot shot
toward third. This was the opening
wedge of the rally which won the game
] johnson was hardly properly warmed