The Washington times., 1915-06-27
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.


leave on their coming swing around
the circuit leading the second di-
vision. Since returning from De-
troit in May, they have played
twenty-three games, one of which
was in Philadelphia. They have won
thirteen of that number for q win
ming percentage of .565. This is but
a few points better than their pres
ent standing, and it is evident to all
that nothing but a decided brace,
bringing with it a winning streak,
can put the team up among the
leaders.
The mangled Mackmen have two
more games to play in the Capital
before Washington fans will be
obliged to follow their team through
the papers. If the first two are any
criterion, the visitors are going to
win one Of the remaining pair. Tues
day night the Griffmen leave for
New York, opening a four-day stay
there before hiking to Boston and
the wild and woolly West. They
will not return to Georgia avenue
until July 26.
Thirty-one contests are scheduled for
the coming trip. If the Griffmen can
manage to win q handsome majority Of
these games, they may find themselves
in q position to threaten the leaders.
but the odds are against them. The
a.
battle with the Yankees for fourth
place in this 1915 campaign. The three
leaders. Chicago. Detroit. and Boston
carry too many guns for the Griffs.
while the latter seem to have 1t on
the Brownies, Indians. and Athletics
Tommy Connoly's injured ankle has
to hop In and prevent the youngster' 8
the regular lineup. In his second ap-
pearanoe he had the misfortune to
strain the injured member and was
ier. Just how soon Connolly will be in
shape to play ball again can't be said.
He may be in the lineup tomorrow and
then again he may not play for week
Much of the future success Of the
Griffmen hangs on what support
shanks, Foster. and Gandil are going
to receive at the bat. This trio is do.
aid from the others. Moeller has been
in a losing streak for several weeks.
Milan shows signs of picking up, but
Of .sss shows Where e he gets of. George
McBrides .1S4 is poor and would be
poorer. but for the captains ability to
get his hits when they count most.
The pitching. in the spring excellent.
has fallen off badly Walter johnson
alone is holding steady course on the
day and knocked the Griffmen out,
games every now and then. Shaw and
Boshiing mark their work with an un-
accountable wildness. This quintet of
Fingers form the regular staff. and.
barring johnson. they will have to
on this approaching swing around the
circuit. Not one has been able to blame
defeats upon poor support for some
time.
The cripple swung his crutch yester-
ddeyday and knocked the Grifftnen out.
8 to e. "Bullet Joe" Bush outpitched
both Shaw and Ayers. and was entitled
derricked. the beans were spilled. and
Ayers had little more to do than fight
on to the end, though he was credited
with the defeat because the winning
tally was made while he was twirling,
Doc Is a hard luck guy.
Bush had lot of speed. That proved
most valuable owing to the darkness Of
tho afternoon. After the third inning
he refused to give the Griffmen a bingle
and made them look like Potomac river
shad on more than one occasion. He
was given some fine support especially
by Larry Lajoie, whose fielding was
accuracy itself and smoothness per-
sonified.
Tho Mackmen threatened in the FIRST
round, but had to desist till the second
when they sent two runs across, Gan
dill leaped high in the air and JUS
touched Lajoies bounder with the til
Of his glove. McInnis plunked one
solidly. to left and when Jack Lapp
the only hairless backstop In captivity
doubled to right center Larry scorec
and McInnis reached third. Shaw ther
wild-pitched MoInnis across
Bush had some trouble In the open.
ing round when, with two down
Shanks beat out grounder to Schans
and took second on the resultant bad
rSg. Milans slam enabled Lajoie Il
<iake a tine stop close to the cushion
but II was a hit. Gandil popped q
weak foul to McInnis and that attack
was srnothtrcd,
The assault in the second. though
brought one run over for the home
boys Morgan scratched a hit past
Kopf and Ainsmith beat out a slow
one to the same gentleman. Mcbride
healthy single TO right hlled the cor