The Washington herald., 1914-04-28
Opportunity to Compare Ma
tionals with Champs as
Pennant Possibilities.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT

not yet IN COndltlOn 10 SnO" tnelT DeSI
form. that the pitchers are far from
right and that the club. as a whole, is
playing only mediocre ball.
Somehow or other this has familiar
ring. We have been told before that the
White Elephants were all shot to pieces
and could not hold their own even with
the ST Louis Browns. but any time they
play the Nationals a transformation
seems to have been effected overnight.
Walter johnson VIII be in the box for
Washington at Shibe Park this after
noon. and any time Walter is right he
usually beats the Mack tribe. but he has
to be right.
1t is not known who will oppose
Johnson. One thing is certain. Chief
Bender won't. for the Indian pitched
seven innings against the New York
HiRhlanders yesterday.
Griffith will be able to place In the
field his strongest lineup. and this will
help a whole lot. as heretofore it has
usually been WashinGton's luck to go
against the Athletics in a crippled con-
ditiOn.
The Old Fox claims that the Mackmen
always get the breaks of luck when play
ing his team. and figures that it's about
time luck changed.
No matter how you look at it, the four
game series which starts in Shibc Park
>
Griff's youngsters are confident that at
this stage OF the race they have the edge
on the Mackmen and on the theory that
games won in April count just as much
as games won in September. no quarter
will be shown the White Elephants
II remains to hc seen just how weak
are the Athletics. The Nationals chances
for winning the pennant this year can be
dOped out after the present series comes
to a close.
Joe Boehling did not pitch anywhere
near as impressive a game here yester-
day as he did in Boston CT New York.
probably because his team had gained a
commanding lead early in the struggle
but he was good enough to win. and had
the score been closer the Richmond lad
would probably have thrown more curves
The Red SON were hitting BOehling's
fast ball. for the reason that he was put
ting IL over the heart of the plate in
Istead of working the corners.
The critics who told US last winter that
BOehling was only a flash in the pan.
will have a lot to take back before the
1914 campaign Closes il his form dis
played early this season can be taken
as a criterion
The second basing Of Steve Yerkes for
with the brilliant fielding of George Nc
Bridge. the Nationals dandy captain.
Gerkes handled cleanly eleven chances,
many of them difficult
Yerkes was badly of form last year.
but this season is playing great ball
The Griffmen left for Philadelphia on
tho o'clock express last night. taking
with them Pitchers johnson. Brehlinr.
hon al agNf
and GaIlia. the three catchers. and in
addition TO the regular infioldvrs and
outfielders. TtIIty Players ACosta, G, d.
con and Wally Smith.
Southpaw Harry Harper has been left
in Washington and will work out each !
day at National Park with Dick Will !
Jams. Bert Collier, Billy Lee and Paul
smith
While in Philadelphia the Nationals !
will stop at the Hotel Majestic, corner |
Broad and Girard avenue.
On to Philadelphia for more victories. !
is the cry Of the Griffmen. Yesterdays |
exhibition of clouting that old pill was
a treat for the fans who enjoy nothing !
better than the crack of the bat against /!
the old hOrschide.
Every man in the Washington lineup |
with the exception of Chick GandN. the |
teams heavy hitter. came through with !
a safe wallop. Captain Mcbride. with |
three bingles. led his teammates. while |
Foster and Milan were able to connect !
for two apiece.
Steve yerkes cut OF more runs yester- |
day than his team made. He was all |
over the field. and saved at least three !
more hits being charged against the Red |
Sex pitchers. His stop of GandiI $
groundcr in the fourth was a hair |
raiser
Clyde Milan soaked one Of Fosters Of |
ferings down the riSht-field foul line IN !
the first which was foul by inches only. !
Not liking EEan's decision on the ball /
Milan took a walk down the path to /
find out for himself just where the ball !
hit.
One of the pleasing features of the |
fray was the manner in which Mcbride |
hit the ball. Three safe swats was his |
share. and the captain of the crew killed /
of many Beaneaters by his fine defen- |
sivc play.
Neither team was charged with an err
ror. and it is not often that a game |
with as many fielding thrills is staged |
The Nationals pulled off three double !
plays which were lfe-savers. while |
Yerkcs did Some excellent stunts around |
the second sack.
Foster the youngster who trimmed the /
Griffmen when they were in Boston. did |
not appear to have anything on GriT's |
batters. Five hits in two frames caused |
Manager Carrigan to make quick use of |
the derrick.
MCBride'S pickup of HcnrikSen's |
groundcr in the second was a great piece
Of fielding. While running toward second
Mac" stuck out his glOVed hand and |
snagged the fast-fying ball. 1t was an