The Washington herald., 1920-06-25
Nationals Ready for Series
Opening I oday with Mackmen
Nv JACK NYE.

With six wins under their beit 10
cf3e. as many defeats. and proud
ly possessing a first division berth.
the scrspping Nationals returned
home last night after an invasion
of the West and will be seen at
the Georgia Avenue Park this aft
ernoon with the Athletics as their
opponents
Injuries and erratic pitching
served to make the first half of the
Natiooals' Western invasion far
from successful. but the shifting of
Hank Shanks to third. the recov-
cry of Milan and Judge from in
juries. and improved work in all
departments brought four victories
in the last five games played and
gave the Griffmen a chance to come
home with no worse standing than.
when they departed
Even in the absence OF Stanley
Harris. who was sent home from
Cleveland with a bad tooth, the Ma
ticnal infield. has been putting up a
peppery article of ball of late.
Judge has fully recovered from the
spike wound at the hands Cor
rather feet) of Ruth, and Shannon
and O'Nieil have been performing
in stellar fashion around the mid
die sack On third Shanks is win
ming a home for himself by his
clever work, fielding the position in
brilliant style and doing timely
work with the willow.
Harris to Play.
The return of Harris to the
lineup is expected today by Presi-
dent Griffith, bringing the inner
works up to the standard believed
necessary IL the Nationals are to
hold their own during the re-
mainder of the flag chase.
. Shanks seems a fixture on third
and this means that Jimmy O'Neill
and Shannon will fight it out for
the permanent assignment at sort.
Both are nifty ball players and
dangerous men with the bat.
. Erickson and Zachary are the
only twirlers who won two games
during the road trip. Erick downed
Cleveland. holding the league lead
ers to one run, and also was cred
tied with the final victory in De-
,troit. though Johnson came to his
rescue. Jezebel Tecumseh blanked
the Browns and defeated the Tigers
in nifty fashion. Johnson and
Shaw were the other winners, Bar
ney taking the number of ST. Louis
and Shaw having little trouble with
Detroit, thanks to the hard hitting
of his teammates.
Shaw Returns to Form
In his last start Shaw gave in
dications of returning to his form
of last season. He had plenty of
stun and seemed to have his trouble
some curve ball under control. This
fact gave President Griffith quite a
bit of satisfaction, especially as
Erickson, johnson and Zachary seem
TO be ready for the grind. Erick-
sons work in Cleveland was a reve-
lation. He had binding speed and
a hook on his fast one that kept
the Speakerites guessing. They
gave him credit for having too much
stuff for their comfort.
With Milan back in form, after
having pulled a tendon in st. Louis.
the outfield is again able to hold
it's own. Not only is Zeb among
the first five hitters, but Rice is
still rapping the ball hard and run
ming bases in his usual dashing
style. Bobby Roth budded into the
slugger class in Detroit with a
couple of home runs and was loath
to leave Navin field with its short
left-field fence.
Expects n Squirt.
I'VE have managed to get an even
break in the West in the face of a
lot of hard luck said President
Griffith last night. "and from now
on We ought to do some fine play
ing. ! guess all of our misfortunes
came at once and hope that we are
through with them for while.
With Harris back in the game we
will have a mighty good team and
are ready to meet all comers."