The Washington herald., 1917-05-29
PLAY
RED SOX TODAY
Jack Barry's Naughty Bean
town Tribe Here for Four
Contests In Two Days.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

Oedu-lO"n ulDe, which Is at Ine present
out in the lead in the American League
race, will be seen here today aaginst
the Nationals. A double-header is
scheduled for this afternoon, while to-
morrow two games will be played. In the
holiday attraction the first contest will be
at 1870 in the morning, while the after
noon battle will take place at 2 o'clock.
The twin bill today will start at o'clock.
while Thursday is carded as an off day
for the Griffmen.
The first invasion Of the frontier clubs
will start on Friday when Fielder Jones
will lead his ct. Louis Brownies to the
city. This date will be the inaugural
Of the 40 o'clock games. The board OF
directors Of the Nationals agreed while
the team was on the road to play all
home games in the future at this hour.
Much discussion has been heard in
reference to the starting of the games
at this time. Since the pressure Of work
In the government departments has been
doubled because OF the war. the govern
ment clerks who are the big supporters
of the local club have found 1t impossi-
bic to attend the game. This new start
ing time will be tried for the next few
weeks more as an experiment than any
thing else.
Many Of the old fans Of the Nationals
will remember that the American League
tried this plan few years ago, but at
that time 1t failed to show any results
and 1t is now a question whether the
fans will turn out at this hour. because
Of the lateness in getting to their homes
sss
After experimenting with various COM
binations for nearly seven weeks. Clark
Griffith, now believes that he has at
last hit the right makeup of his club.
The showing Of the team on the road
has eQualed more than the expectations
OF the most ardent rooter when It
hit the trail for the West three weeks
ago.
Although the Nationals landed but six
in fifteen games played on the frontier,
they managed to show the clubs in the
West that they had a real punch with
the stick, while the Old Fox's pitchers
surprised the Western critics by pitching
no-hit baseball, but were unfortunate In
having their teammates boot away the
games at the critical moment
The Nationals scored hfty-six runs
while making the swing OF the Western
wheel, while their opponents registered
but forty-seven. George Du Mont, Jim
Shaw. Walter Johnson and Harry Har-
per each lost contests that were booted
to the enemy. The twelve-inning game in
which Du Mont was handed the small
end OF a 1-to-0 count against the White
Sox last Thursday. was one OF the best
battles ever witnessed in the Windy City
Umpire Barry Mccormick paved the way
for the Sox victory with one OF his
guesses.
Jimmy Shaw will work in the first game
for the Nationals. while George Du Mont
will do the duties in the nightcap The
Red Sox will not arrive here until 10
O'Clock this morning, and no definite
pitchers could be announced, but as
Dutch leonard and Herb Pennock are
due, they will no doubt be on the firing
line for Black jack Barry's TRIBE in
the games today.
The Old Fox will make another shift
In his lineup today when Capt George
Mcbride will be placed back in the short
field position in place OF Sammy Crane.
Mcbride has completely recovered from
his injured finger, and as Grin is anxious
to bolster up his defense, Crane will be
placed on the bench.
Although Crane has been charged up
with quite a number Of errors during the
Western swing, he has played brilliant
ball. Crane has gone after everything
that was hit between second and third.
and has on number OF occasions
brought the fans OF these Western cities
to their feet with his brilliant playing
His ability OF covering ground has been
the undoing OF him in the error column
as many OF the scorers have charged him
with miscues that would 90 for bingles
against any of the other veterans.
Although It is a little too early in the
American League race to really pick a
winner on what the clubs have shown
to date. 1t looks like the Red Sox from
where we sit.
The Yankees and White Sox will sure be
contenders, but the balance Of the clubs
are pretty evenly matched and are not
classed with the three.
The bean-town tribe is about the best
balanced offensive and defensive club Of
the league. and as this crew is used to
winning and know what winning a pen
nant means, It takes advantage Of
every slip-up Of its opponents.
Many experts are looking for the club to
blow, especially the pitchers, who have
been going at a great clip to date.
The White Sox for the past two years
have been considered contenders, but they
are still sadly in need OF good pitching
The Windy City tribe is a fighting gang
with plenty Of punch with the stick, but
Its pitchers are not any too classy
and Will not be able to stand the pace
The Yanks are sure to nght the Red Sox
to the last ditch. as they are a well
tortneo all-round team The oucnefd OF
the Manhattan club 10 slightly weak, but
when the tnhed starts. along with Nuna-
maker, busting the pill, the best OF
moundsmen are forced to DON their hats
Detroit Is already figured being out Of
the race, along with the Brownies, while
Cleveland and the Nationals may get into
the battle and force some Of the con-
tenders to take notice. But very little
Improvement is seen in the makeup of
Connie Mack's Sunderland tribe, and 1t
looks like the celler again.
Weighing the hitting, fielding and pitch
ing strength of each club, the Red Sox
at present look to have something Of
the edge on the other entries in Ban
B. Johnson's circuit
Manager Grifith may close out a deal
today whereby the Nationals will play
an exhibition game with Tommy Crooks
Frederick club, of the Blue Ridge League,
on Thursday. Thursday is an on day and
the Frederick fans are anxious to see the
Nationals in action against the home
club. ......
Ray Morgan, the watch-charm second
sacker Of thu Grirmen started his base-