Evening star., 1923-04-19

Harrls>a chance to do his Stuif-W
Griffmen.
On the basis of damage done to the
respective deliveries Of Johnson and
Harris yesterday-SiX off Walter as
against four culled from the roper
toire of his opponent--the outcome
seems logical. but when ali the facts
are considered il becomes apparent
that luck was an important factor in
enabling the Athletics to make a
grand success OF their bow before up
ward of $4,000 Of their ovcrcoated and
bemuf1ered supporters.
New Arrangement Costly.
The new left field bleacher arrange
ment at Shibe Park is responsible for
the fact that the Bushmen failed to
set at least a tie with the As. Goslin
and Peck delivered wallopS that for
,nerly would have been good for the
circuit but under these conditions
provided Bing Miller with an oppor-
tunity to pull circus catch at the
expense of Goose and limited Rajah's
to a highly unimportant double.
When Connie Mack made known his
plans for revamping the left fleld bar
l'ler il was announced as being for the
purpose of reducing the number of
freak homeTs obtained by reason OF the
restricted size of the field and low
fence abutting It, Whether that was
his purpose or whether the real reason
was to reduce the number of bieacher
seats available, thereby forcing a soodly
number Of the sun gods to take the
more expensive pavilion accommoda-
tions matters not. the fact is that the
barrier has been moved back fifteen
feet and that the tive-foot railing has
been replaced By one sixteen feet high
and this deprived the Busilmen of ciouts
that for years have been good for the
circuit on the local grounds.
3Iiller's play on the walloD BIZ Cos
'in in the eieth inning, a one-hand
transaction provoked storms OF APP
p.ause from the home folks and a sneer
Of disgust from the Goose. while that
OF Peck, uncorked in the final round,
was recorded as double when Bing
failed to freeze to it, after getting one
fin on the bail. He was smack UP
against the wall on the receiving end
Of both drives.
Harris IL Same Old Puzzle.
These two punches constituted the
sum total Of the Nationals efforts against
Bryan Harris in the last five frames.
In fact, aside from the opening round
when a drive to left by Judge, which
he converted into a double by fast leg
work and clever hook slide. and Cos
Inns line single to the same territory
that gave the visitors their only tally.
they were in position to score only
twice. Conroy ended the initial attack,
after Bucky Harris had been plunked
lofted to Miller.
In the fourth Peck got a life on
Hale's tumble and reached second on
Ruels smart single down the third
base line. only to be left when John
son took third strike. In the sixth
Bucky Harris also was the beneficiary
OF an error, this one by Galloway, and
pilfered his way to the keystone sack.
but on this occasion Conroy popped a
foul and Peck hoisted an easy fiy to
haQnnnln Of ha tu
was in stingy mood-that's all.
The encouraging part of the combat,
previously referred to, was the show
ing made by Johnson. He was nicked
for pair of runs in round 2, when
Bins Miller picked a slow ball to CEN
ter for one base and Dykes produced
a crack that barely carried into the
bleachers as Goslin stood helplessly
backed up against the barrier.
Goslin Helps the Enemy.
In the fourth reprehensible fielding
by Goose on a bounding ball gave
should have been limited to one base.
Then Welsh got away with a swing
ing bunt that put Chick on third in a
position to register on Dykes sacri-
nee fly.
The other two Mackian bingles both
went to Matthews. the peppery mid
get who Is parolling center for the
Athletics this year, one in the first
anu duOlneT IN the tnlrQ. After the
fourth frame the only Mackman to
get on base was Dykes. who profited
through a wide throw evolved by Peck
johnson uncovered a very fair turn
OF speed and in view of the weather
and his comparatively brief period of
preparation this spring was COM
mendably steady, issuing but two
passes. His arm was strong and his
stamina all that could be desired.
evidence OF which is furnished by
that fact that the farther he went
the better he got. With the season
only just started this encompasses
considerably more significance than
the fact that he lost his first game
It was a repetition of the old, old
story for Walter. who flashed a good
performance on the hill. but received
feeble assistance on attack from his
mates.
Three Newcomers Do Well.
Neither Evans. Conroy or Ruel. the
newcomers with the Nationals. had
an opportunity to do much, but they
took care of everything that did
come their way. and Muddy held
Johnson up in nice style in addition
TO getting one of his teams four
bingles.
This youngster Matthews, obtained
fropl Milwaukee for $780, 900 and three
players, appears to be we'll worth the
price, judged on what he accomplish
ed in his first big league engagement.
He obtained hits his first two times.
drew a pass on his third appearance
and connected for terrific liner to
Harris on his fourth trip to the pan.
Efe got but one chance in the field,
but was all over the garden backing
up his mates after the fashion of Iris
Speaker. His nickname. Pepper,