Evening star., 1924-10-08
JOHNSON CHOSEN
TO CAPTURE FIFTH
Bentley May Deck Mound for
Giants, Since Nehf Has
Hurt Hand.
by DENMAN THOMP0ON.
Sports Editor The Star.

POLO GROUNDS, NEW YORK. oc-
tober S.-Unless bad weather inter-
| feres. and the outlook this morning is
| somewhat doubtful, the Nationals
| should be well on their way to at
| tainment of the base ball champion
| ship of the world by eventide.
Upon the broad shoulders of Walter
Johnson will fall the responsibility
of making amends for the failure that
| attended his efforts in the first game
of the series at Washington last
Saturday and Walter feels as confident
as the other members of the team
that a Inherent story today will be
told.
1t was thought that Johnson this
afternoon again would be pitted
against Arthur Nehf, who was credit
ed with that 12-inning victory regis
tered by the Giants in the initial COM
bat, but later developments indicate
| that the slender southpaw may not be
able to go to the mound today as he
is suffering from an injury to his
| pitching hand.
Thumb IL Affected.
Il may not be able to pitch today"
Nehf was quoted as saying this MORN
ing II was hit on the pitching hand
by line drive in the first game at
Washington and the injury has ira
veled to the joint of my thumb. I
attempted to pitch a few curve balls
before the game yesterday, but the
injury became SO painful 1 had to
quit. l had the hand painted with
iodine and hope to be able to get in
there this afternoon. but I don't know
will
again."
1t was believed that should Nehf
find himself unable to work effective
ly today the pitching assignment
would be turned over to John Needles
Bentley. the native of Sandy Spring.
Md, who once disported in a Wash
ington uniform. Bentley gave good
exhibition in the second contest of
the set Sunday in Washington, but
had to content himself with the short
end of i-to-3 count because Jezabel
Tecumseh Zachary flashed an even
classier performance and also had
the benefit of some sturdy attacking
support from his teammates, notably
Goose Goslin, who yesterday repeated
his stunt Of the Sabbath in polling a
home run, although on this more re-
cent occasion there were two instead
of merely one of his mates on the
runways.
Team Spirits High.
| In any event. having again pulled
f! up to even terms with the Giants.
due largely to the fine pitching of
George Mogridge yesterday, with two
games each to their credit in the
four disposed of to date. the Ma
Johnson today they will vault to the
front in contest for the highest
honors in the base ball world and
that they should end the struggle
with another triumph over the Ma
tional League champions under the
| leadership of Zachary in Washington
| tomorrow.
The only fly in the ointment is the
condition of Roger Peckinpaugh, vet
eran shortstopper and balance wheel
| Of the crack infield that played such
prominent part in this year bring
| ing to Washington the first major
league pennant the Capital ever had
| known.
| Whether Peck's charleyhorse
would permit Of him getting into the
lineup still was a mooted question
at noon. Roger, himself, in answer
| to questions on the subject, replied
yes" but his co-workers shook their
heads negatively. Manager Harris,
1
frankly in doubt. He was inclined to
think that Peck might be able to go
to bat should an emergency arise,
but he would not venture an opinion
| as to whether the veteran would be
able to continue in the lineup in a
fielding capacity.
| If Peck is unable to play with his
accustomed skill there is no denying
the fact that the Nationals will be
| greatly weakened. This was proved
yesterday when Tarzan Miller es-
sayed to guard the bag at the far
corner with poor success. 1t Is true
that the Griffs won yesterday with
out Pecks services and that they may
be able to continue doing SO, but one
cannot help wondering what would
| happen If the Giants were to concen-
! trate their attack with Miller as their
! target. It's a mystery to this writer
| why John McGraw Of the master
mind" didn't do some experimenting
! along this line yesterday.