Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-15
NATIONALS SHOW
FORM IN OPENER
With Walter Johnson in Fine
FettIe New York Yankees
Are Beaten. 7 to 0.
SPEED MARVEL ALLOWS
BUT TWO SCATTERED HITS
Griffmen Hit Exceptionally Well
and Play Brilliantly in
the Field.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Never before in the history Of base
bail in Washington has there been SO
suspicious opening as the one Oh
Yesterday, when the 1915 season was
inaugurated.
Not only was the day delightful from
a weather standpoint, but there was
a large aud representative crowd on
hand which saw the Nationals win III
brilliant fashion by a score of to 0
from the New York Yankees.
The victory verified many things. In
the first place, it showed that the
Griffmen are in good playing fettle
and that their showing in the exhibit
ton games was not Il fuke. Further
more, it was demonstrated that Walter
Johnson seems to have regained the
form which made him famous and can
be relied upon to again lead most OF
the pitchers In the matter Of corraling
victories.
The Nationals seldom displayed bet
ter form than they did on this o.ca,
sion Not only did the team field
splendidIy but it played with judy
ment and hit SO we'll that there is
reason for real encouragement IwelVe
safe drives are credited to them and
in addition there were three long pro-
ductive sacrifice flies which aided ma
terially in the scoring. After the first
two innings johnson was absolute mas
ter of the situation. 1t took him quite
little while to get to going properly,
but once in his stride he moved down
the visitors much he pleased. He
was hit safely but twice. walked three
men, or rather one-High, three times
and was not scored on.
Behind him his teammates played
brilliantly and on the inside they
showed strength enough to virtually
cinch the game by the time 1t was
half completed. WARRIOR, who opposed
Johnson, seemed to be at his best for
a time, but he weakened perceptibly
in the fifth, in which inning five hits
netted three runs and virtually put the
game on ice.
Williams Slabs One.
There were several brilliant fielding
feats, the most noteworthy Of which
, was performed by Alva Williams. who
was substituting at first base for Chic
Gandil. Williams probably prevented
the Yankees from scoring in the fifth
cupied and two out, he Intercepted a
| line drive from Cree's bat by remark
able backhanded catch after covering
considerable ground. The ball stuck
| in the mitt and the inning ended amid
lVoclferous applause
| In all just five men reached the bases
on Johnson, and the hits charged
against him came in the first and sec
| ond innings.
| He was in some trouble in the first
round, but got out of it without being
damaged Mcbride had thrown out
Maisel. when High walked and stole
lsecond. After Cree had popped up to
Foster. Pipp came along with IA single
to left and High went to third, and
while Shanks' throw held him there
lit allowed Pipp to advance to second
1t up to Cook. He met the ball
well, but Mcbride gobbled it up and
threw him out at first.
Sweeney singled with two out in the
lsecond, but Milan cared for Warhops
lfy.
! In the last half of the first inning the
locals began their run-gettlng. Moeller
walked to begin with and Foster beat
lond. Milan moved the two runners uI
with a neat sacrifice. and then VIII
iliams drove out long high fly which
Ordinarily would have been home run
High managed to get under it because
lof this, Moeller scoring after the bal
had been caught.
Morgan was hit by a pitched ball
lone down in the third High walk &c
Iagain and again stole second. but the
next two batters could not help him
laround.
It was in the fourth that the Ma
Itionals gained their second tally. Nor
gan walked to start this inning, anu
lShanks moved him up with sacrifice
Mcbride was out at first. but Ainsmith
lcame through with a double over Cooks
head in right and Morgan ran home.
| 1t was in the very next inning that
1.-THE slaughter of WARRIOR took place
IMoeller started this inning by beating
tout a slow bounder to Boone. Foster
)also got an infield hit, and after Milan