The Washington herald., 1916-04-18
TOOPEN
THESEASONHERE
Johnson VIII Be Sent Back
Against Red Sox Wednes-
day, Causing Switch.
GOSSIP OF THE NATIONALS

Boston. April l7.-Yanking Walter John
son after the Red Sox had scored five
runs with the aid OF eleven hits in six
innings here this afternoon, makes IL
plain that Griff will have to figure upon
pitching somebody else besides the
Speed Marvel" for the opening game of
the season In Washington. when the New
York Yankees arrive next Thursday, for
1t is cinch that Johnson will go right
back at the Red Sox on wednesday,
either to start the game or else to finish
out
Walter did not look good this afternoon
when he warmed up. His fast ball had
nothing on 1t. and IL the Griffmen had at
any time before the sixth inning tied the
score, or shot over a couple of runs,
Johnson would have been taken out.
Coming right down to cases. II Griffith
had pitched anybody except johnson to-
day he might have won the ball game.
Washingtonians have seen Johnson in
the box when he couldn't pitch up an
alley. Two years ago the Athletics on a
holiday knocked him out OF the box In
the third inning. every ball being hit on
the nose and most Of them going for
extra bases Such was the case this aft
ernoon- Johnson was batted whole lot
harder than the score shows, Milan and
Rondeau making sensational catches Of
line drives.
From where we sit It looks very much
as IL Johnson would be sent to the box
again before the Grittmen leave Boston,
in which case Harper or Gallia will open
the Washington season next Thursday.
Griffith tonight declared himself about
making shifts in his batting order He is
not going to stick IN a flock OF left-hand
hitters when southpaw hurlers are on
the job for the opposition. IN fact, Ron
deau and Shanks are sure TO play left
and right field when such a state Of af-
fairs exists. Danny Moeller Is also liable
to get into the fracas for Moeller has
shown signs OF hitting that indicates he
is in better shape than most folks be-
leve; besides MoelIer is fast on the bases
and speed Is always desirable on a ball
club
Kid Jamieson has thus Tar failed to
convince the Old Fox that he can hit
southpsw hurting and Will only be used
when a risht-hander works.
Gririrh stated tonight that Il t was
possible to play ball tomorrow he would
rnore than likely give Moeller q chance
to show what he could do in right field.
Harry Harper has been nominated to
oppose the Red Sox tomorrow and will
probably hook up with Ernie Shore, the
fanky Highlander, who has been pitch
ing wonderful ball all spring.
The weather predictions are far from
bright. In fact, the official report an
nounces occasional showers for tomor-
row.
There were barely 5000 fans out to see
the game this afternoon, and the Boston
Red sox management blames It upon the
weather, for showers started about noon
and while 1t was warm and balmy the
skies were overcast and it hardly seemed
possible that game could be played.
Joe Judge came across with q pretty
single in the third inning today, driv-
ing the ball at Gardner with such
force that he nearly knocked the props
from underneath the third sacker. In
the Red Sox fifth Judge also brought
the crowd to its feet with a hair rails
ing fielding play, slapping down a
wicked grounder hot from the bat of
Babe Ruth, and tossing the bail to
Walter johnson, who also made a one
hand catch. retiring the runner on
first base.