Evening star., 1925-08-28

N hitc S0X crowd that l. to be cpcC
mcuts, starting here today has be
Gucky Harris and company this yea
There has been a deal of poor pitch
ing this trip, but the failure of tho Ma
lionals to win at better than q 800
rate during the journey through the
West cannot be charged altogether
to the pitchers. The staff of veterans
carried by the champions has done
remarkably well throughout the cam
paign. The hurlers were Woefully
overworked in the first half of the
pennant fight 10 put the club In a
contending position. Now they are
feeling the strain, but still working
well enough TO win more games than
they lose.
But the pitchers are not being sup
ported as we'll as a championship club
IS expected to support it's mound corps
in attack and defense. Too many men
of the regular line have been play
ing slipshod base bail during the past
10 days. With the exception of one
game, the Nationals did not function
any too brilliantly behind their hurl
Crs in winning five of the first six
engagements Of the tour. Only one
word can properly describe the kind
OF playing the team has done in the
last four games. And that is--rotten.
games TO the Browns the Nationals
were guilty of more bonehead work
on the paths and in the field than In
any other three games played this
year. Errors of omissions in defense
were glaring. while in attack there
was little commendable. The Ma
tionals' showing in the Mound City
was one that could only be expected
of a tail-end club. and a rank tail
end club at that.
Held Helpless by Bush.
In yesterdays engagement the
Champs were given a fair brand of
pitching by Walter Johnson up 10 the
eighth inning. Then the big fellow
who had allowed but four safeties,
faltered, and was found for five more.
But the Nationals would have needed
superpitchins TO win, for they were
helpless before the fiinging of Bullet
Joe Bush. Just one hit was registered
of his delivery. a double at the start
Of the sixth round, and Walter John
son got that.
Only six Nationals got on the
bases, and but two travelled as far as
second base. Moon Harris strolled in
the second inning with one out and,
after Ossie Bluege flied to Harry
Rice, attempted to pilfer second while
Hsrgrave's throw to Marty McManus
wRs not 80 good, but Moon Stacked
in his pace and went into the sack
standing up. making a fine target for
SfcManuS, who got the ball Just in
time for a retiring tag.
At the start of the third inning a
bobble by Bob Lamotte put Peck at
first. Hank SEVERED fouled to Har-
grave; then Johnson drilled into d
n la, ri F,A 81
OF the way in tho fourth when Bucky
Harris drew a pass. Sam Rice's weak
roller TO George Sisler put Bucky at
second base and Goose Goslin walked.
Moon Harris took a healthy swing at
the ball and popped to Bush.
Johnson socked his double against
the stand in left center to start the
sixth. McNeely drtbbled the ball to
Lamotte and the latter promptly
threw to Gene Robertson to head off
Johnson. who tried to make third.
Now Walter is no speed demon and
was easily run down by Gene. But
that did not bother McNeely, who
swept past first with his head down
and was caught nicely by McManus'
relay to Sisler of Robertson's heave.
NfcNeely was the last National to
swing around first base.
Walter Wabbly at Start.
Johnson was a triie wobbly from
the start. He passed four men, walk
ing Harry Rice at the outset of the
Browns first inning. A double play
helped Walter there. and In the sec
ond inning. when HershelI Bennett
got a hit and Peck fumbled Bill ia
cobson's tap, g. couple of force plays
occurred before a walk jammed the
stations. Bush sent a long foul fly
10 Goose Gosliu to end that frame.
Bennett walked with two gone in the
fourth. by which time Johnson vas
pitching himself out to each batter.
The Browns got to him in the fifth
for their first marker. Robertson
opened the inning with q long fly to
right center. McNeely ran for it, but
topped we'll short Of the bleacher
barrier. and the ball dropped at his
ger. Busb fouled TO Moon Harris, but
Harry Rice, after taking two strikes.
doubled down the right-feld line, tai
lying Robertson.
Then Johnson held the Browns until
the eighth. when they swung their
heavy artillery into action. Sisler
singled to center as starter, and
Jacobson sacrificed. McManus dou-
bled to left, scoring Sisler. and Ben
netts single to right scored McManus.
Hargrave banged a. triple to center,
and Bennett went home. Robertson
lined g. single to right, counting Har-
grave. Bush then ended the bonn
bardment by drilling into a double
play.