Evening star., 1915-06-20
JOHNSON ABANDONS CURVE;
NOW RELIES ON HIS SPEED
Continued from First PageO

making a neat appearance. Nothing
but caps and stockings were bought
this year, and these are expected to
carry the old uniforms along through
the campaign.
For years the Tigers always have
been neat-looking team on the ball
field, and this economical move in using
old uniforms is a step backward for
them.
When several Of the cigarette-smok-.
ing members of the Nationals opened
their salary envelopes a few days age
they were astounded to find ten
dollar-note missing and notice ex-
planning that Manager Griffith had In.
flcted fine because of the use OF
cigarettes. 1t seems that ever since
the edict against the cigarette was
issued last spring. some of those who
have found it hard to quit have been
taking a draw on the quiet, but none
or them got away from the Old FOX
He, however. was mum on the subject
ers more bold. which they became. but
the fining at $40 crack is sure to
bring about remarkable reform.
Ray Morgan played a very creditable
game at second base. He had several
very difficult chances and handled
everything that came his way without
the semblance of an error. Morgan,
however. is in a batting slump He is
not hitting at all hardly. and hereto
fore he has always been counted among
the hard hitters on the local team. 1t
is to be hoped that his failure to hit
is but temporary and that he Will get
into his stride in due time.
Harry Coveleskie was figured to give
Walter johnson a real battle yesterday
but the Polish lefthander for once was
not a puzzle to the Griffmen. They hit
him rather hard until he retired and
three of their seven runs came while
he was on the slab. Despite his defeat
Coveleskie is a pitcher of much more
than ordinary ability and during the
season he should prove himself most
consistent winner.
"I never saw Walter better" remark
ed Sam Crawford after the game, and
have been batting against him ever
since he broke into the league. Walter
had world of stuff today and after
facing him the first time l was con-
WINGED that we would not take any
liberties with him this day. When
johnson is himself there is not much
chance for the hitters. He simply
speeds the oall over and you are lucky
if you foul it. Many times the batter
swings after the ball is in the catcher's
hands,"
Ty Cobb. after hitting safely in the
fourth inning, tried to steal second, but
Ainsmith's splendid throw and clever
handling of the ball by Mcbride caught
him, even after he had nined a fairly
good lead. 1t was the only attempt the
Tigers made to steal during the day.
1t makes lot of difference in any
team when it has a pitcher of class on
the mound. Not only do the players go
about their work with more confidence
RI ,jy>if I,-fn nro1V- rI 6h p.c
are usually offered. The Importance of
the pitching is constantly being demon
strated. Give the Griffmen high-cl
pitching, and it is team which is apt
to beat any opponent. This, in fact. ap-
plies to most teams. for even when
champions have weak twirling they do
not look impressive and seldom manage
to win.
For some reason or other Walter
Johnson always hits better in his own
games than when he is sent in to pinch
hit. though on occasions he has made
good in this capacity. But in the games
he pitches he is one of the most dan
gerous batters in the lineup. His feat
yesterday of hitting a single, double
and a triple is seldom duplicated by
pitcher.
George Moriarty made remarka BILE
stop of Morgan's grounder in the third
inning. The ball was apparently gong
to evade the big third baseman. but he
Scooped it up with his gloved hand and
then sent 1T on d fast trip to Burns.
Cobb robbed Milan of a triple in the
sixth inning when he crossed over to
right center, and, leaping several feet
in the air, pulled down a line drive
which was headed for the scoreboard.
Milan got even with Ty in the very
next inning when he pulled down one
of Tvs long drives. which also seemed
labeled for a triple
Jennings and his team left here for
Detroit at o'clock last night and are
due to arrive in Detroit at 1890
o'clock this afternoon. where they are
slated to play series of games with
the ST. Louis Browns. Jennings expects
to land first place before the series
with the Browns and Cleveland In
dians has been played, but as the
Chicago White Sox have similar ambi-
tions regarding these two teams,
neither the Sox nor Tigers are apt to
gain much on each other.
Manager Griffith admits he was re-
sponsible for the change of catchers In
Fridays game when Alva Williams had
such a bad afternoon that his errors
alone gave the Tigers three runs.
II wanted to use Williams behind the