Evening star., 1921-06-24

DduiUHio.
He has been the honored figure at
as many fetes and special occasions
as any figure in base ball In the
comparatively short period since he
began to startle the sport world with
his bludgeoning feats and seldom,
indeed. has he failed to come through
with some deed of prowess bef1tting
the occasion. So, George Herman
will have to be carefully watched this
afternoon.
But "Euth day" is only an incident
in the current series. the principal
importance of which is that it, will
settle. for the time being at least, title
to second place in the pennant race.
AS a result of the to setback the
Nationals absorbed yesterday. while
the Yankees were taking the measure
of the Red Sox. McBride's men now
are two games in the rear of the
runners up. 1t is possible to oust the
Hugmen from their present position.
but it will require four straight
Griftfhian victories to do it.
Grins Show Lack of Pep.
In Philadelphia the Nationals ap-
peared totally devoid of pep. The
heat was partly to blame. of course.
but it was the subconscious effect of
being pitted against the tailenders
more than anything else. But it will
be different here. The Griffmen play
their hardest against the Indians and
Yankees and as result have an edge
on both for the season to date. The
set opening today promises to be no
exception. knowledge that they are
up against a club which must be
vanquished. If they are to climb, will
have the effect of squirting the Ma
tionals on. Some great battles may
pc looked TOR. today. tomorrow, Sun
of day in the schedule.
The Nationals welcomed the chance
20 escape from Philadelphia where,
IN addition to high temperatures
they were able to cop only two bat
Ties out of five played. two of them
aega,ring extra innings. In the ag-
fair-eleven safeties being their por-
tlon-but they were unequal to the
task OF solving Bryan Harris when
bingles would have counted, while
both Schacht and Acosta were solved
at crucial periods. all but one Of the
Macks ten blows being collected in
clusters. -"
.. Sehacht No PuxxIe.
schacht was spanked right merrily
in the opener. but despite the double
and two singles he yielded only one
run resulted. Witt started with a sim,
gle TO center. and promptly Tailed on
a double to right-center by Dykes,
who. was tagged trying to stretch the
Blowers throw. weIch followed with
a safety and was forced. Johnny
walker then thumped liner directly
into Miller's hands.
Following this frame, the Machmen
could do littlei with Schacht, Tilly
Walkers double being the only safety
registered until the sixth, when, with
one out. Shanks helped J. Walker to
a oingle by encroaching on ORourke's
territory and attempting a one-hand
STAB; J. Walker took third ON Per-
Ems. double to. right, and scored with
81 when BRAZIL Lined. to left-center
Tor two bases. He died trying to
negotiate an extra base on Harris re-
lay to Shanks Of .Rice's throw.
Double Plays Stop Gri1s.
Double plays spelled havoc for the
chances in the early
rounds. Miller pumped into one after
Blower bingled in the second and
made Shanks' safety which followed
Schacht did the same thing
thirdt
Brewer was left after being winged
In the fourth In the succeeding ses-
sion Sharks died trying to make two
bases on his safety to left and Char
ritys single which followed meant
nothing. Again in the sixth a double
play stopped the Griffs The round
opened auspiciously. Judge walking
and advancing on Harris single. Rice
then forced Stanley and Brewer drilled
into dual killing.
II required an alien error and the
services of a pinch hitter, for the
Grtfs to get into the ball game in the
seventh. Miller got life on Brazills'
bad throw. Shanks famed and Char
.itt lofted- O'Rourke singled and then
Smith. batting for Schacht, doubled to
left. Tiily Walker barely being able
to reach the drive with his finger tips
Miller and O'Rourke tailed on this
blow. Smith reached third when
Judge pulled the unexpected" by
bunting safely, but Harris left them
on when he rolled weakly to the
pitcher
Acostn Bumped in Eighth.
Acosta slid by in his first round, the
seventh. but bumped into trouble in the
form Of four hits and two runs in the
eighth. j. Walker and Perkins singled
over second and BRAZIL beat out a bunt
to Shanks. whose throw, incidentally,