Evening star., 1924-04-25


II was well yesterday that Martina
was able to keep the really formidable
Philadelphia batsmen away from the
plate most of the time, for his mates
were dull both of defense and in at
tack-sO dull, in fact, that il took a
most decided break to bag the con-
test. This break came in the form of
wild pitch by Curly Ogden. third
Athletic pitcher used, that permitted
Sam Rice to score from third base
after two Nationals had been retired
in the ninth inning.
The Harrismen have not performed
brilliantly on the paths this season,
= but their base running in the past
2 two games here has been more pecu-
liar than usual. A glaring example
of the work the Nationals are doing
on the bases was given in the sixth
inning yesterday. Doc Irothro opened
the session with neat single to CEN
ter. and Roger Peckinpaugh lifted
high fly over right field. Prothro-
whether instructed by the coach or
not is not known--immediatel dashed
from the sack without a glance to-
ward the ball. The doc had rounded
second when Bing Miller made an
easy catch of the sphere and was
doubled at first without difficulty.
This sent TWO safeties into the discard
in the sixth frame. for Martina fol-
lowed the double play with a sound
blow only to be stranded when Judge
fiied out.
Odd Fielding Costs a Run.
There were a couple of other care
less plays on the paths, but none was
so poor as the queer fielding play
pulled by the Nationals in the fourth
frame, when the Athletics were Vir-
tually presented with their first run.
one was out and the bases filled when
Miller rolled to Prothro. Prothro de-
iiberately tossed to Harris for a force
play on Al Simmons and a possible
double play and let Sammy Hale
score instead of shutting off the run
with a throw to Ruel that also would
have afforded a chance for two
ply killing.
This tossing to second base seems
Nationals 1t will be recalled that
in an exhibition game in Washington
Byron Specie tielded a roller and
slammed TO second when no runner
was going to the sack. and that Paul
Zahniser elected to throw to second
and let d man score from third dur
ing d championship tilt with the
Macks. And yesterday, after a fourth
ball had been heaVed to a Mackman,
Muddy Ruel made practice heave
toward second that was so wild the
walked batsman romped to the key
stone sack.
The Nationals have not shown much
defensive strategy since the campa ign
opened. and unfortunately their at
tack here has been nothing to brag
about.
Rube Walbers Il wild.
The Harrismen failed to get a
safety off Rube Walberg, southpaw
Slabman started by the AS, but he
gave up four passes, and pair OF
them handed to Ruel and Prothro,
first two batters up in the second ses-
sion, caused Rubes withdrawal and
brace of runs to be credited to the
Nationals. Peckinpaugh greeted
Dinny Burns, right-handed relief
counted Ruel and put Prothro at
third and the Doc got home after
Simmons caught Judges fly.
Burns was Combed for a tally in
the third inning, GOSlin doing the
scoring Goose forced out Rice who
from which station he counted when
Ruel poled a one-baSer into left
field. Curly ogden assumed the
mound burden for the AS and carried
ii to the finish. which came for him
in the ninth. Harris opened the final
round with a single. only to be forced
out by Rice. Sam stopped at second
when Goslin got a life on Dykes boot
and made third as Fisher forced out
Goose. Then Ogden uncorked a wild
pitch and Rice raced home. Fisher
also tried to make the plate, but was
HI easy out.
The Macks got only two hits off
Martina after the scratch single made
by Simmons in the round in which
they were handed a tally by weird
fielding. One of these was a power
full home-run clout over the right
field wall knocked by Joe HauSer in
the sixth 1t also Tailed Dykes. who
had walked, and deadlocked the game.
The third safety was made by Bruggy
in the eighth. At other times Mar
hol oh haln