The Washington times., 1914-05-09
PITCHED BALL PUTS
STAR IN HOSPITAL
Griffmen Sure to BE Weakened
in Battles With Western
Clubs as a Result.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

crack backstop, battery partner Of
Walter johnson. will be out of the
game for at least four weeks. In
batting practice yesterday he sus-
tanned fracture of the left arm just
above the wrist.
The backstop complained of pain
in the injured member al lday yes
terday and was excused for the
afternoon by Manager Griffith. To-
day he v:sited the Georgetown Hos
pital, where an x-ray examination
disclosed a fracture. According to
the physicians. Ainsmith will not be
able to play for at least four weeks,
and it may be longer before he gets
into the battle line.
II there was anything in connection
with baseball that was not injected
into that game yesterday it escaped
end of three hours and a half time
was called by the umpires and balk
was all that about remained un-
touched. Take il from one who among
those present, il was some baseball
pastiming which converted an ordi
nary sane and self-respecting band of
American citizens into gang of un
terrified and uncomfortable maniacs.
There was not A section of the stands
-bleachers. pavilion or grandstand-
that was not wild and there was more
or less excuse for the individual who
was finally pulled out of the stands
by a plain clothes man for using
language that is not permitted in
some of our select sets.
Some idea of what was happening may
be gauged from the fact that at one
time the Washington club had no less
than five men trying to coach at first
base with the manager of the club,
without a hat, shouting encourag cement,
TO the men who he drives and directs.
respect reputation made during the
worlds series was again demonstrated
yesterday. The day before the Grinmen
gave Chief Bender one of the worst trim
mings he was ever forced to endure dur
ing his whole baseball career. and yes
terday they jumped on Ed Plank and
unceremoniously battered him off the
mound. Plank was allowed to stay
there FIVE innings, but to one who was
following his work it was evident that
he could not continue. He was pitching
his head off with three run lead and
when the Nationals finally got to him,
which seemed inevitable from the out
set he was smashed. hammered and
smashed until his retirement was an act
Of mercy
Walter Johnson served three innings
during the course of the general eS-
element His work was anything Dut
impressive. That old Kansas train that
has carried Washington to victory time
and time again under the most adverse
circumstances could not catch its speed
and he finEaly Withdrew in favor OF Joe
Engel johnson was not himself still we
have yet to hear that anyone mas asked
for waivers on the t~lrl1ng czar.
From the viewpoint OF one who has
closely followed the Nationals through
their sorrows and joys, the game yes
terday and the result of the battle the
day previous were a source OF real
qualification and JOY. 1t has been re-
peatedly heard around this town that
the Griffmen were half afraid Of the
Athletics and that any time that the
TWO clubs met It was al! Philadelphia
Last week the Griffs gave the Ath
Ietics a tussle that Will not soon be
forgotten by those who were fortunate
OF unfortunate enough to see il and
as matters now stand they have beaten
the champions once end once driven
them to the last hole without admit
ting defeat. No matter what YOU
might have throught UP yesterday you
have to give il TO the Griff command
for hanging on like a bull dog yester- /
DAY when there appeared not the
slightest cnaIce OF getlng even some
fight. some fight!
Dan MoeIler. who vas such potent
factor in the winning OF the previous
DAY. made UP his mind TO get n
yesterday IL such an arrangement "as
possible. After the morning practice ne
had Dr.. Martin putting hot towels on
the dislocated member. but when he
motored into the grounds heWas so
weak and faint from the suffering that
he was not even able TO raise his arm
to get on d uniform.
Acosta started at right field to be re-
lleved nv Al williams, who finally
gave way to Joe Gideon
That triple play the Nationals pat
over Yesterday was the club : second
Of the year and il went to fill out the
IDnE run OF possibilities that Wcfe Jam
med into the contest.
When Foster came up in the tenth
with GeGeon on second he had nun
cTeds roaring at him to smash II out
for the single that would have decided
The issue The Athletics were trying TO
cover every inch and creVice for the
man VINO has done SO much 10 help the
Griffncn this spring and he was una
bic 10 come through.
II was so dark at the end Of the
ninth that il WAS believed that the
Umpires would call for halt, but
Connolly insisted upon going on.
The way those GrIlfmen were yelling
and fighting drew upon them the wrath
OF the umoires when the whole bench
was warned that further noise meant
iNnishment e,
The Box Score.
NA1i3THL 4n4oAE " ''LIt LIAtBsITiSoAEI 10