Evening star., 1923-07-06

not in, the first division group.
The manner in which the American
League clubs are slamming away at
one another, a percentage OF $50
would win In the loop this year. The
organization is suffering from having
most of it's teams too evenly matched
The exceptions are the Yankees and
the Red Sox. The former are far
superior to anything else in the
league. while the latter are weaker
than any of their opponents. Howard
Ehmke's remarkable pitching alone
has kept the Boston crew near the
remainder of the fold.
From the Athletics, White Sox, In
dams, Tigers, Browns and Nationals
there is little to choose. Each has
an excellent chance to finish second
in the long race. This condition of
affairs means merry scramble for
put any punch in the chase for the
flag.
Hitters Must Brace, Too.
The Nationals success upon this
western trip depends not alone upon
the pitchers bracing. To get ahead
the club has got to regain its punch
at bat and put considerably more life
into its fielding. There was a lament
able lack of batting activity on the
part of the Nationals in the New York
series and their defensive was not of
the highest order.
On first consideration, it would
seem that thirty seven safe blows in
four games was fairly good total
for any club against such pitchers as
Shawkey, Bush. Pennock and Jones,
but study of the distribution of the
Nationals wallops in the quartet of
tilts with the Yanks reveals a sorry
lack of opportune clubbing. In the
''w wasted effort" class may be counted
six of the eight swats registered in
the first game. six of the eight in the
second and six of the eight in the
fourth. But five of the thirteen in
the third tilt went for naught.
. Continued clouting of this kind is
not going to do anything more than
fatten a few batting averages. To
win games, the Nationals have got
to come out of the slump that seems
to affect them only when their mates
are perched on the sacks. This falling
not confined to just few players.
Virtually the entire personnel of the
club is unable to take advantage of
run-producing chances.
Play sloppiIy Against Ynnks.
Defensively. the Nationals were not
very impressive against the Yankees.
There were brilliant individual per-
formances, tits true, and there were
not many errors of commission
mishaps to be expected in base ball
but errors of emission were too fire.
quent. Sluggish fielding. too. marred
Ruth's snowy work on the paths and
one of Scott's homerS on Independ-
ence day were due to almost listless
defensive play.
One of the Nationals in the throes
of a batting and fielding slump is
trying desperately to return to earlier
form, but without any success. That
is Ossie Bluege, whose work at third
base and consistent hitting made him
a sensation during the clubs first
western trip. The youngster at New
York always was the first to get on
the field for practice and went about
his drills earnestly, but failed to bet
ter himself during the series.
His batting weakness and inability
TO cover much ground about the hot
corner told heavily against the Ma
tionals in the four engagements
However, Bluege has demonstrated
that he can hit and field, so an i'm
provement in his play may be ex-
pected at any time.
Hargrnve May Be Used.
With Pat Charity subbing at first
base for the injured Judge Red Har-
grave is likely to be given the catch
ing assignment in several games dur
ing the trip. The receiver procured
from the New Haven, Eastern League.
club got into two of the New York
engagements and did quite we'll Har-
grave seems to be able to handle the
usually wild Jack Hollingsworth. He
caught that reckless right-hander in
nearly nine innings during the Yam
kee series, and Holly wabbled only
to the extent of two passes 1t would
seem that Red can give Muddy Ruel