Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-05
REAL CONTENDERS IN
RACE NOT AFFECTED
BY DOUBLE BILL


western teams at home Tuesday. Bos-
ton played its last game at home June 1,
and it will not make its reappearance
there until July I. Notwithstanding this
long siege of games away from home, IL
has made a splendid showing and is now
one of the dangerous teams in the pres
ent interesting race.
I'VE have been on the road so long
that l don't expect to recognize my
players when l see them in their home
uniforms Tuesday remarked Manager
Carrigan. Besides we have had but
one days rest in all that time, and that
was when it rained the other day in
Philadelphia, and then we had to make
up for 1t the next day by playing a
double-header. But l am satisfied, since
We have not lost any ground on the
trip, and l look for US to show to even
better advantage when We get home for
a long stay beginning Tuesday. We
open with Chicago"
Just as soon as Jim Shaw gains con-
troll he is going to be one of the lead
ing pitchers in this league if speed and
curves count for anything. There is no
pitcher with more natural ability than
Shaw, but he is still bit green. and
his control is a rather doubtful propo-
sitton as yet. But there are few more
promising youngsters.
Shaws work in the afternoon game
yesterday was a splendid exhibition.
He got away poorly, but he stuck to his
task. and while is wildness got him in
several tight places he managed to
work his way out of these. thanks to
his natural ability.
nesses that the Nationals are display
ing is their inability to sacrifice. ANY
number of games have been lost this
season by the failure to put men who
have reached first down to second by
means of the usual methods. Yesterday
there was one occasion in the first game
when the play failed Moeller tried to
move .Ainsmith, who was running for
Williams, up in the ninth, and he fouled
to Carrigan. In the second game two
such efforts were made and both failed.
Milan tried to move up Moeller in the
first. but failed in two attempts. and
then had to hit and forced Foster at
second. In the fifth inning. when Nc
Bride beat out neatly placed bunt
down the first base line. Shaw tried to
move him and failed. and then struck
out. 1t seems high time that the local
players We're given a lot of sacrifice
practice Those who have the natural
ability to sacrifice usually ruin their
chances by trying to beat the play to
first base, thus starting to run before
they have made sure that the ball is
properly placed
There is no way to figure that Bos-
ton team out of the present race. The
club, in fact, seems to have better
chance than several of the present con-
tenders, for the very good reason that
it appears to be better fortified with
Joe Wood back in form that pitching
staff is by no means to be sneeZed at
Wood, Leonard, Collins, Bedient and
Foster are five mighty clever slabmen,
and in addition Carrigan has Rankin
Johnson and Coumbe, a young left
handler who held the Athletics down
to three hits the other day and gives
promise of being a phenom.
q &c
among the best in the league. while it
has by far the best outfield and also
some very serviceable catchers.
For time the team was Handicapped
by the fact that Iris Speaker was not
batting up to his form, but he is
gradually getting into his stride. and
the chances are that before the season
is much older he will be hitting
well as ever. which Will make a re
markable difference in Bostons offensive
strength.
Griffith made a change in his batting
order in the afternoon game. bringing
Williams up under Gandi. This ought To
be a splendid combination. for il gives
the team two cleanup batters following
each other. and it would absolutely put
a stop to the scheme of walking Gandil
in pinch to get the next batter up An
opposing team would think twice before
it followe dsuch a course if Williams were
batting after Gandil. for there is no more
dangerous hitter in the local lineup.
It seems that the Red Sox have mad
vertently developed a very likely looking
first baseman in Janvrin The youngster.
who formerly played almost any of the
other infield positions. has been holding
down the bag ever since Gainor was hurt.
and he is PLAYING the position SO well that
1t is decidedly doubtful if Gainor will
have an easy time getting his job back
1t is not often that ball team loses
the services of so sterling a shortstop as
Hein!e Wagner and then is fortunate
enough to pick up a youngster like Scott, |
who fills the position SO well. That is
what Boston has done. Scott is not a
Wagner but he is playing very good |
game OF ball at short field for the Red |
Sox. and he is youngster and constant |
ly improving.