The Washington herald., 1914-04-19
GRIFFMEN Win
Opening Clash
With YANKEES
Walter Johnson, Although
Wild, Gets a 4 to |
I Verdict.
SHANKS In LIMELIGHT
Fleet-footed Left6elder Comes Through
with Timely Wallop-Hsh-
landers Look Good.
SHANKS IN LIMELIGHT
By WILLIAM PEET.

Polo Grounds, New York, April
1S.-Flushed with two victories in
a row over the Athletics, the New
Yorks, under Frank Chance, at
tempted to humble the Griffmen
in the opening game of the series
here this afternoon, with the re-
suit that the Old Fox rolled a big
clinker in their path, Walter John
son being the obstacle. Final
count, Washington 4, New York 1.
The rejuvinated Yanks did not
find the Nationals as soft picking
as the Mackmen, although to their
credit let it be said that the
Gotham club put UP a stiff battle
and refused to quit, in direct con-
trast with the brand of ball dis
played by this bunch last year.
Walter Johnson did not look like
the Johnson who caused Boston to
bite the dust last Tuesday. The
big fellow lacked control, and, ac-
cording to AinSmith, his catcher,
he did not have a thing"
Walter Is wild.
Five passes were issued by the big
smoke" He was nicked safely three
times, contributed a wild pitch. and ad-
mitted himself that he was far from
right, yet the fear of the Lord was in
the heart of every Yank, all of which
really explains why the Nationals won,
for the mere fact that johnson was on
the mound gave Grin the ball game be-
fore il started.
At the same time credit must be given
where credit is due, and without little
offensive. work by Walters pals a win
could not have been chalked up.
Howard Shanks, Unexpectedly, lurched
into the spotlight with one of those old
fashioned timely wallops. Shanks' smash
to right center, with the bases choked in
the opening chapter, gave the Grifmen
such a commanding lead that the boys
simply stuck around, kidded the enemy,
and for good luck sent over another run
later in the combat. just to show that
the old punch was there if needed.
Yanks Field Well.
Keating, the chunky spitbalI finger,
who has been doing good work for the
New York's all spring, was batted safely
seven times Milan and Shanks grab
bing off two blows each. and leading our
gang. Only one error marred the Ma
tionals' work afield, while the Yanks
backed up Keating with brilliant support
OF fiawless caliber.
The pastime was decided before the
crowd had hardly gotten seated. and
speaking of crowds, Secretary Fowler,
of the Washington team, declares he was
IL all bod
for this time of the year Returning to
the game. Moeller drew a walk from the
Gotham pitcher, and, calling for the hit
and run, scooted to third base while
Eddie Foster jammed the ball through
the spot supposed to be guarded by
Roger Peckinpaugh, as Peck dashed over
from short to second anticipating a throw
hit to Heating, who slammed to the plate
and then proceeded to run Moeiler to
earth, while Foster and Milan were
burning up the base paths. Moeller
evaded the New York catcher, waiting
until Foster had anchored himself on
the far corner. Then Moeller stepped on
the bag and allowed Sweeney to tag him.
Foster was, of course, declared out, for
the reason that the base belonged to
MoeIIer by pior right. GandiI famed and
Ray Morgan walked. filling the sacks
With two strikes and no balls on Shanks
the Monacan took a healthy swipe at
one of Keating's ''spitters," driving the
ball between Holden and Gilhooley for
a double and sending home Moeller,
Milan, and Morgan Ainsmith whitfield
for the final out.
Add Another Run.
The Griffmen chaIked up another tally
in the third, Fosters base on balls paw
ing the way. Eddie watched four bad
ones sail pass, and when Milan singled
TO right, sneaked to third, from which
spot he scored on Morgan's short fly
to Holden.
During the seventh and ninth innings
the Grihmen had possible, chances to
score, as they were able to get men on
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE