Evening star., 1915-04-22
BY j. ED GRILLO.

There was more real base ball dis
played by the Nationals yesterday
than in any previous game this spring.
The team not only played brilliantly in
the field, but it hit well and ran bases
if it had not forgotten how. Grif-
fifth believes his charges have finally
gotten started and that victories will
be more numerous hereafter than they
have been.
The makeup of the team yesterday
was the strongest batting combination
that Griffith could present. He took
Williams off of first base and placed
him behind the bat. while Gandil re-
turned to his old position. where he
performed in most impressive man
ner Rondeau went to left and Shanks
was shifted to right. Shanks led off
and was followed by Foster Milan,
Williams and Gandil, and then came
Rondeau and Morgan, with Mcbride
and Boehling winding up the order.
This rearrangement of the batters
worked like charm and undoubtedly y
will be continued until Noeller gets
back in the lineup or ASosta is play
ed. when right-hander is pitching, in
which event either will lead off and
Shanks will be dropped down the list.
while Rondeau will be benched for fear
of his leg not yet being strong enough
to stand the strain of constant play
ing.
That Chick Gandil is ready to play
again was demonstrated by him yester-
day. He not only hit as if he had been
in the game continuously. getting
triple and double besides walking
twice out of four times up, but he
played perfect game at first base.
handling all sorts of throws. and
hn frr fptsv, 1tv,xn
drive from Comstock's bat and. quick
as d flash, touching first base, retiring
Janvrin, who had been walked and had
moved but a few feet off The bag.
1t is hoped that Gandil will be able
to play the position regularly from
now on, for there is plenty of work be-
hind the bat for Williams. where his
batting strength will be most appre-
ciated.
Shanks and Rondeau both got a
couple of hits, both of which were
| timely and figured in the scoring. Ron
/ deau was not expected to hit in his
stride for the reason that he has been
| out of the game for more than week
and was not benefited by batting prac-
| tice, yet he came through with two
| hits. the first being a Texas Lacquer to
| short right center and the other one
which could not be handled by Scott.
| That Boston team had another miser-
able day in the field and 1t must be
| plain to Manager Carrigan that his
| team will have to be greatly improved
| in this respect if it is to have any
chance for the flag in the presen. race.
| 1t is a good enough hitting team. of
| that there is no doubt, but 1t remains
to be seen If it has the pitching
strength that a championship team re-
| quires.
! It is decidedly questionable whether
| either Joe Wood or Vean Gregg will b.
Of any value to the Sox this season. L
| is the opinion of many of the BostoI
| players that Wood will never be able
to pitch again, and there also is little
hope for Gregg. Wood in his warm -uI
| seems to have very lame arm, and a.
| 1t is not showing improvement Will
work and warm weather. it is doubtful
| II he will be given a chance to show
| what he can do very soon.
With Wood out of the game, Carri
gan's pitching stan is not marvellous