The Washington times., 1914-05-28
NOT UNTIL JUNE "A
WILL THEY RETURN
Have Bulge on Every Club in
Bunch, Excepting Worlds
Champions and Red Sox.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

When the Nationals leave here this
afternoon by the Federal Express, they
will not again set foot on the loan
OF the Georgia avenue manor until
June a. when they are ct home TO
battle with the Philadelphia athletics.
Opening at Boston tomorrow, they
play a. m. and p. m. games in the Hub
Saturday, and remain there until Tues
day, when they oppose the Yankees at
the Polo Grounds A week from to-
States 10 st. Louis, and then
follow Chicago, Detroit and Cleve-
land, in order. The plans Low
call for the working of johnson. Boehl-
ing, Ayers. and Shaw in that rotation
unless some opposition should become
and might eventually result in johnson
getting in the last game OF each set,
which is the order Griffith has always
desired.
As matters now stand. the GrIffmen
have the bulge on every club in the
league in the matter Of games lost eX-
Cept the Athletics and Boston, the Mack
mSl having the advantage by four to
two. Including yesterday, the Nationals
have won three to nothing from Detroit,
Two to one from st. Louis, three to three
with Boston, four to three with New
York, three to one with Chicago. and
four to none with Cleveland.
The old adage about seeing and be-
heving is the most formidable argu-
ment to deal out to those who have
not been able to get to the ball park
and want an explanation of the present
exalted position of the Nationals.
II is within the bounds of conserva-
ism TO say that the national game has
never known team that has played
more consistently brilliant ball tnan
have the Nationals since that ill-starred
series with Philadelphia
While there have been slips in prac-
ucslly all of the contests with the in
vading hosts from the West, the aver
age has been Of such high order that
L will not be necessary even to hold the
present sweeping speed if the worlds
series Ia TO be staged on the Georgia
avenue grounds next october.
In the past the very idea of Washing
ton presenting the grandest ball cluo
N the universe had been considered be-
yond comprehension. still IL those who
have attended the stretch at National
Park will, in an unbiased and compe-
tent manner, endeavor to point out any
club that has a decided advantage over
the Griffmen he will find himself at a
loss.
From time immemorial Washington
has had weak hitting teams. While
the pitching has often compared ia
vorably with the best, the club has
never been able to go out and get runs
IN q goodly number. But this year the
IDEAL situation. excellent twirling but
tressed by steady hitting, has been
found since the club started to storm,
battle, and fight its way into the van.
Since the memorable duel of the
mound between Jim Scott and Dr.
Ayers, Jean Dubus, the day before yes
terday. has proven himself the only
pitcher who has come here and survived
Tor nine innings the slaughterins OF
the Nationals.
OF late there seems TO oe utterly no |
end 10 the capabilities Of that Wash !
.ngton defensive system. Plars that or !
dinarily wou'd bring the crowds to |
heir feet are now accepted almost as a |
matter OF course and are passed almost |
without notice, so frequent have iield- !
ing features become.
The idea OF requiring hernetic Pitch
ing TO insure victory has been jarred,
badly Jared, as the Nationals have
talked TO the front True, the pitchers
have been going along most Impress
sively, ttill tim. after time smashes
sbeled for real hits have been cut down
through the general excellence OF the
men who have been supporting the sla b.
Dist
Two cases 70 the point came yester-
day. In the first inning, High, who IS
-obbs understudy, crashed against one
that cleared Shanks' cap by fully FIVE
ards and did not even hesitate until il