Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-16
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

CHICAGO. July 16.-The Nationals
present tour of the west is going TO
have an aspect in the results attained
far different from the first swing
around the frontier. Back in May. of
eleven games played with the tour
clubs in this section. two in Detroit
were victories for the Griffs. They
dropped one contest there. two in
Cleveland and three each in ST. Louis
and this city-nine defeats. John
sons feat yesterday in banking the
Indians in Cleveland gave the GrlHs
the series there, three out of five and
with the victory Walter registered in
Detroit the Nationals already have
twice as many wins to their credit.
with only two of the four clubs
played. as they scored during their
What they will be able to accom-
plish here and in St Louis remains
TO be seen. Eight games are to be
played before the team hikes home
ward, four with the White Sox in as
many days and four in st. Louis, in
Guiding one double-header. With the
acquisition of Erickson and the de-
velopment OF Gill, the Nationals I'M
doubtedly are better fortified with
hurlers than on their previous ap-
pearance, Harper's apparent loss OF
effectiveness being the only fly in the
ointment Then Menosky has been
showing signs of life with the bat.
while Shanks and Janvrin also are
improving, the former in his stick
work and the latter in both offensive
and defensive departments of play. If
the Nationals can manage to break
even in the contest, remaining to be
disposed of. their showing will be re-
garded as highly satisfactory, al
though it will leave them one game
shy of $3.50 split.
The dope Indicating their chances
for making good showing in Chi
cago is based on the fact that Glea-
sons pitching staff is wabbling. The
Sox have been winning their share
of games. but only by running up
big scores against mediocre hurting.
With his staff Strengthened out to
work in rotation now. Grin is expect
ed to show the league leaders some
thing different in pitching from what
they have been feasting on for the
past ten days. Erickson Will get the
call today in the opening fracas of
the set and will be followed in order
by Shaw, Harper and Johnson. Gill
may get a chance to start his first
game in st. Louis. depending upon
what day the bargain show to be
ulSpOSSO OF tneFe is IlSteO. Inc Ma
tionals yesterday did more than give
the Indians a setback in their effort
to stay in the pennant hunt. With
BostonS defeat at the hands of Chi
cago. they gained full lap on the
Red Sox and now are only one game
back of them for sixth place. The
Browns managed to hang on like
burr to their claim for a first division
berth. but with the Tigers remain
ing at home for another week are
likely to slip down a peg for Jen-
ningS' team right now is travelling at
a faster clip than any other in the cir
cult The tip is out that Detroit is
destined to cop this season The club
certainly has the requisite power but
will have to show more on foreign
helds before 1t can be conceded a
chance. In their own ball yard the
Tigers practically are unbeatable but
on the road they have dropped nearly
two-thirds of their games. Their
next hike east should tell the tale OF
the Jungaleers
The showing of the Yankees in the
west is proving a bitter disappoint-
ment 10 their followers but they still
are very much in the running and are
favored over the western contingent
in that they have only one more trip
west facing them, while the sunset
division much march on the Atlantic
seaboard twice yet.
Johnson yesterday gave splendid
exhibition of hurting for "A man with
d lame back. He was in danger of
being scored on on only two occa-
sionS and worked out of these holes
in masterful manner. His opponent
on the hill. Jim Bagby, was hit hard
from the outset. but until the sixth
all the Griffithian drives went straight
TO some alien fielder. except Shanks
safety in the third. This could not
HnN h. rk,,.E-
luck deserted him the Nationals pro
ceeded TO pound out Il brace of triples
and a single for two runs. more than
enough for the verdict 1t was d
typical pitchers battle. and like most
games Johnson pitches was finished in
jig time. requiring but a little more
than an hour and Il half. The Ma
tionals played errorless ball.
Speakers bingle off Johnson in the
opener was on rap that took false
hop in front of Shanks. Wamby's
biff in the second sailed right over
Walters head Neither got beyond
the initial station. as Smith famed
in the first instance and Johnston hit
into double play. Murphy. through
tumble by Wamby in the second,
was the first Grifnan to get on the
paths He died stealing after Pici-
Mich had been called out on strikes.
Shanks got around far as the
hot corner in the third. which he
opened with a line single to left.
Janvrin's bunt was perfect and Hank
moved up another notch after Speaker
got Johnson's long fly. Judge then
lifted to Smith.
The Indians made their first serious
threat in the fourth. when with TWO
down Smith singled and Gardner
doubled. both raps travelling to left
center and Nenosky making q good
stop of the latter. Johnson then
famed Wamhy.
Again IN the NTH the tribe appeared
dangerous. O'NeilIs double to right
came with one down and Hagby
walked on four pitched balls Grancy's
hard smash went on a line into Muir
phys paws. and Chapman then fouled
to PicIniCh.
johnson himself paved the way for
the first tally of the combat in IN.
sixth. and with some assistance from
Judge and MenOSky pair Of counters
was hung up. Janvrin had passed out
when Walter poled a liner to left
Griney attempted to stop il on the
short hop and when he missed il com
pIctciy the ball rolled TO the fence
The pitcher easily making third
Judges single past Wamby scored
him. and after Foster lifted TO Smith
ire frs sacker romped home wher
FicnoSky Gented the screen in RICH,
center with lusty wallop that nettec
Jim three sacks. Rice was unable
10 get him home.
In the seventh Johnston's muff o,
Ehanks' foul gave Howard a respite
Ia took advantage of by nOuriShipc