The Washington times., 1914-05-21

nC rlcan League race.
Philadelphia, for some reason J
We never been able to explain, has
nething on us every time we meet
e pound pitchers all over the LOT
ID then they 60 to Philadelphia and
op the Athletics, while our pitchers
IN usually hold the other fellows
It not the Athletics.
However, / think it's Detroit and
oston that are going to cause the
Eal trouble. We have passed the
thletics, whose pitchers do not seem
ble to stand the gaff, and we have
zen getting better with each game.
I'VE will lose a let of games be-
pre- October, but we will also win a
bt, and if we can beat out Detroit
nd Boston we will-well, what's the
Sc? But at that it looks like Wash
hgton, Detroit, and Boston are the
eal class of TIE league. l may be
mistaken, but that's my honest view,
is matters now stand.
J ck Bentley was out at morning
ira ctice today, and was feeling much
Petter. He feels that he has about
fo' ked the fever out of his system.
Ciyde Wares will play short for ST.
>ouIs today in place of Bobby Wallace
fh3 has been shipped home with
broken thumb.
= e Sgden. the veteran catcher, coach,
mo scout, is not with the Browns. He
iook at some prospects in the West
pending the return OF the club from the
e II.
Clarence Walker. who was tried out
hero and sent back 10 the minors. is in
eft field for the Browns. He has been
hitting around 800 for the Browns, and
Nound City critics claim he is one of
fhs best men who have come into either
pr the majors this year.
With every other entrant, except one,
|taAing their wash. the Griffmen have
driven the PROV of their good ship into
second place in the sizzling race for
the Johnsonian flag and are now lead
ing by a scsnt margin the dreaded Ath-
letics. A squirt that started one week
$50 has turned the trick. ..ts
L may be that with the passing of
another day the Nationals may be
found back in the third position, but
e en- this would be far from a calamity,
Tor the team has been playing by all
Odds the most consistent ball of all the,
Contenders.
Il may be that they will crack to-
6-N, but that will not kill the Crecit
e them during the week in which
1nty have shaken the Gust Of the sec
nd division, and have stormed into
rcond place.
When the Nationals blanked Cleveland
sterday it marked the ninth con-
seCutive victory over the Maps. Cleve-
and will not soon forget the dull Oc-
cher days of last year when Birlning-
ANS brigade had its pennant as,irf.-
'Ons shattered and wrecked through
re defeats at Georgia avenue and the
cries that closed yesterday showed
our more 9etbacks in a row.
suppose the Griffmen had made
lch futile stand against the Atk-
ties here as did tho Maps against
Inc Nationals, How the neathens you'd
lave raved and the people imeSfn,-d
ain things.
The Athletics must win every came
Il the series against Detroit and the |
\atIonals must sweep ST. Lo:is If the |
anne of our fair city is TO Srac, the |
ront place in the race at the chi OF !
me week.
Lfther way you take it you c4n pIsc. /
few kopccks on the proposition tnst !
nat set It Shibc Park, starting toJa.. |
I'll be some sizzling tussIc petrCil /
ds been unusual y successful ain,rsl |
flf-E in sl.
md firm are invadin,, i'atlaJ,.IrGi.,
" IN a grim determination = cdttln: /
'o"n the Grub that rs considered the {
1ost dangerous In the struggle.
In the meantime watch thoss Gr1ff-
'ren night the Browns. The rlen here /
Ioglng oy conversations with several .
the individuals. keenly appreciate ;
ne TACT that they have the greatest /
opportunity thus far 20 mike a move
mat viii have a telling effect on the /
rnsl alignment in the faIl. Shake .em
!. ieesh so,
With threats Of cleaning up the East
me Detroit Tigers left home with \
sood mold on the first runs. but eve:
this sensational combination has not
heen as successful during the pas;
eek as have the GriRmeII. who iaya I
made clean sweep OF half a dozen
games. Today the Nationals are bu'
,"o and One-ha!f games removed from
NOpf. oSi1 dlOls eli
" !thip themselves, the pitchers ere be-
"2 worked in their regular order and
rcfure the steady grind Of their superior
oa seball. the baseball men upon WHOM.
h" Capital is depending have not only
Commanded the respect but aroused
.ciual fear in the ones that they are
pressing AT every turn.
Il has been a mi shty battle that tn.
9 'jffG have fought since the departure
= the Mackmen. When they went down
IN defeat twice in four starts before the
-hcmpions Of the world the rubber
os cked and weak-heartcd abandoned
h nJpe. enthusiasm gave way before de.
Sponuency. and many were the predic-
hons that the Nationals would : abb
10 cling on 10 the front place in the
second division.
Sat today finds the Grifithians in the
cry center of the night, a position ha,
has been gained only through the most
consistently brilliant exhibitions Of
baseball ever presented by a Washing
on team. There have been times whcr
he Nationals have hit better and have
scored victories by larger scores, but
net within the memory of the oides'
nhabitant has club representing this
'ltY exhibited more intelligence, taken
greater advantages of the mistakes OF /
ne opposition, or profited ~ their own .
'iTtUeE TO a greater extent than have
ne GIinmen in the past six starts.
Superiority in inside ID seball las
mediocri.y in batting. and /
he Nationals have won because .hcv
deserved to win. IL has been a genuine
rcat TO watch the dash. vim, vigor
igE:. and judgment Of the athletes. and