The Washington times., 1914-09-08
GRIFFNfEN
MACkMEN.
First game at l:45 o'clock.

ball. He was summarily banished from
the park.
By what process of reasoning the um-
pire should permit such a palpably I'M
fair advantage as tic Athletics were
taking is beyond comprehension. The
decision may not have had the slightest
effect on the Nationals IIyirg to over
come the big lead which the Athletics
had obtained. but the rules are supposed
to be rules and should ne adhered to re-
gardless Of the probable effect on the
game.
In the account of the first game YES
terday The Times recorded two hits
against Jack Bentley. Others gave the
Athleucs but one safe drive. The hits
IN The Times were Official, and the only
ones that will be considered by Ban
Johnsons CORPS Ct statisticilns in COM
piling the formal records at the end OF
the season.
The fielding OF the Washington pitch
ers continues bad. Both Ayers and
Harper showed to a disadvantage yes
terday, but Griffith IS insisting upon
Ileldlng practice at every opportunity.
and he hopes to have his twirlers work
ing smoothly before the end Of the sea-
son.
Connie Mack has come out with a
statement that the announcement that
he was picking the Boston club to
cop in the National League is with
out foundation. He gives the good
reason that he IS not familiar enough
with the National to express any
opinion as to the probable winner
Since leaving home to battle in Bos-
ton and Washington, the leader of
the Mackian forces has had troubles
of his own, and he is so much en-
gagged In managing his own club that
he does not have time TO discuss the
clubs that are now lighting so hard
for the front place in the senior or
ganiZati ton.
The commanding lead which Phila-
delphia has obtained in the American
has practically killed off every chance
any other club might have, and even
the slump which the champions are
now having does not appear calcu-
lated to be great enough to drive
them out of the place they now oc-
cupy by virtue of the great squirt
which they started on July II and
which carried them to the front.
Nothing that Jack Bentley has done
since joining the Nationals has served
to heightcn his popularity more than
that performance of his yesterday
in the morning game. BY almost
working his head off all the way
the silent pitcher stopped the greatest
hitting crew in the world and his
victory was we'll deserved
To many the exhibition came as a
surprise, but to those who have
watched the pitcher as he has studied
each batter and has benefited him
self by the experiences of others. il
is not so hard to understand. Bent
ley is of the intelligent sort, with
experience all that is needed to make
him a great pitcher.
|: vas good to see Raw Morgan back
in the Washington lineup. While ht
d'd 10 I;ng in the mater Of hitting tha;
deserved particular mention his fielding
was excellent, esl ecia"y in the 4. m
game.
Not since the day when the National Is
grabbed 4 doubeheader from the Ath.
letiCs has a crowd left National park
moro thoroughly satisfied than yesterda '
afternoon. The morning victory got the
fanatics in good humor and in the
afternoon. although beaten, the Griff-
men hung onto the Iitle holders -
tenaCiously that they gave the crowd
A real run for its money. While lack
ing the real class of their adverse ric .
Griffith and crew certainly acquitted
themselves most creditably.