The Washington times., 1914-08-16

of which was wild homer. II is not
necessary TO look further for the failure
Of the team to win.
Jim Shaw's chronic wildness
cropped out in its most virulent form
yesterday. II was his poor fielding.
errors OF omission, passes and wild
pitching that made it possible for the
Athletics TO draw so far away that
they made a jaunt out of what mig ut
otherwise have been good game.
He remained in the box for six
innings, but il seemed almost inhuman
to keep him on duty that long. 1t is
proYerbial that the pitcher who can
beat the Philadelphians is one who has
good curve ball which he can control
Shaw. in his last few starts. has been
as wild as an Indian with firewater
aboard. Still he was sent in against the
waiting them out and walking they
were stepping into the fast ball. upon
which they feast, and getting the runs
after the pitcher himself had set the
table for the scores.
What was said about Harper's fielding
stands Still the Hackensack southpaw
looks better with each start. He blew
an inning the other day against the
Athletics. but after he had pulled him
self out of the grave he had dug. he
yanked up the greatest hitting club in
the world most impressively.
Yesterday he was substituted for
Shaw in the seventh. and escaped with
out having a run made against him.
and all this in the face of the dis
couraging proposition Of the Philadel-
phians having jumped far into the lead
before he was called upon.
->
The series which closed yesterday
demonstrated that, while the Athletics
have often been referred to as a club
that could only hit. they have their
pitcners now going along in grand
fashion.
Bob Shawkey held the Nationals still
in the opener. the next day Rube
Bressler allowed but two runs and
would probably have been returned
victor had it not been that he had as
an adversary the greatest twirler in the
game. and yesterday Chief Bender
never gave the Griffmen a chance.
Forget all this talk about Philadel-
phla not having pitchers. They stag
gered for a while at the start. but now
they have caught n pace that enables
Connie Mack TO work them along in
order. and the great lead that the team
tsCtician TO lose game occasionally
without being forced to extend his
staff at anv time All of which would
make ii apepar that from now on the
lone interest in the American League is
TO be the battle for second place wltn
Washington in a position whore il may
yet cop.
When Gandil singled and advanced
when Morgan walked, he was the only
Griffman to reach second during the
fray, so, OF course, the Nationals never
had a real chance to tally, leave alone
win.
For the Athletics Murphy walked in
the first took second while Collins was
being retired. and scored when Baker
singled to left and Mitchell booted the
ball long enough TO allow the runner
to cross the plate.
In the third they got another when
Murphy was once more passed. Collins
walked. Baker was hit by pitched ball
and MClnnes squeezed in the first
man.
Foster heaVed McInnes' chance in the
sixth to the stand. the runner making
third. and counting on wild pitch.
Strunk drew a base on balls, Barry
sacrificed. Schang hit. scoring Strunk
and then the limit was reached when
Bender made n home run into the
bleaChers. The inning gave the Ath-
letics four runs and brought their total
to six.