Evening star., 1926-06-08

more consistently forccful if they
second division during this tour
Walter johnson, still one of the
though in his twentieth season as a
big Lacquer, again was a victim OF
his clubs inability to sock the Spnefe
at opportune moments. The veteran
pitched his best game this season
against the Tigers in the series fin;'i.
In MANY ways it was more HnlSneu
performance that walter gave yester-
day than his brilliant. effort that van
uuished the Athletics in the extra.
timing season opener in the National
Capital this year.
But Walter was unfortunate enough
to be opposed by Ed Wells, young
Detroit southpaw, on one of Wells
rare good days. The husky Tyger
portsider had the Nationals baffied
from start to finish whenever Il wal
lop would have been dangerous. The
Champs made only a few measly
threats during the pastime, so strong
was Wells hurling. Johnson's game
was remarkable, but Wells was just
as much so, and the Tiger slabman
never had break against him
throughout the fray.
Barney's Fifth Loss i'm Row.
The defeat was the fifth in a row
for Johnson. Fate certainly has been
unkind to Walter recently. He is
one Of the few pitchers in the league
who has been going the route in most
Of his late games and he has been
Stingy with hits most of the time.
But for nearly month whenever
Walter has toiled the punch has been
missing from the war clubs of the
Nationals.
AS with Johnson, so with Washing
ton, it seems. The great hurler has
not scored a mound victory since May
a 7-to-4 engagement at Washington.
Since that time the Nationals have
been in a woeful slump and Walter
has had his troubles.
Johnsons string of defeats started
on May Is, when he was toppled by
the Indians In 4-to-2 contest at
Washington. Five days later, while
pitching on his home lot, he was de-
feated by the Athletics, to 8. And
again on May q the AS scored over
him, to ., in Clark Griffith's Stadium
Last Wednesday in New York Walter
was vanquished, to 4, in the second
part of a double header with the
Yankees.
Facing the Tigers for the first
time this season, he hurled magnifi-
Gently Yesterday, but to no avail. He
did all he could to bring victory to his
club. but his eliminates were unable
to back his mastery performance
with anything resembling an offensive.
First Inning Tells Story.
The whole story of yesterdays
game, in so far as the result was con-
cerned, was in the Tigers first turn
at bat. Then they clustered a brace
OF hits and registered the only run of
the day. Neun had gazed at a third
strike before Gehringer skidded the
ball down the right field line. Judge
hurled himself at the skipping sphere.
but it went by the first sacker to be-
come a two-base hit
Wingo walked. but it seemed that
johnson would check the Tigers when
their leader, Ty Cobb, did nothing
more than loft a foul to Myer. He'll
mann, however, was to be heard FROM
He shot the ball toward right center.
Bucky Harris tried desperately to in
tercept the sphere. but it rolled to a
single that Tailed Gehringer and put
Wingo on third base. Walter then
famed Warner to end the scoring
frame.
Thereafter but five Tigers got on
the base paths. Neun opened the
third round with a single that Bucky
Harris knocked down and got to third
base by means of sacrifices made by
Gehrineer and Wingo. Cobb's best at
this time was fly to JeaneS
One was out in the fourth inning
when Judges boot put Warner on the
runway. Taveners scratch hit off
Johnson's gloved hand, the fourth
and last safety of the game off the
veteran. advanced Warner a notch
and he made third after Judge caught
Manion's foul hoist far down the right
field line. Wells famed for Johnson's
third strike-out Of the game.
Heilman Fails This Time.
Neun got Johnson's second pass Of
the day in the eighth inning. Gehrin
ger sacrificed, and after Ruel ran to
the pitchers box for Wingo's pop,
Cobb franked to first Heilmann,
though flied to Rice.
Nationals were on the bases eight
times. Wells yielded five hits, two of
them doubles, gave two passes and
contributed an error that put a batter
on first. No National passed second
base, and that station was reached
but four times.
Goslin opened the second round
with a single and swiped the middle
sack after Judge lined to Heilmann.
Bluege walked. but was caught in a
double play with Jeanes when the lat
ter's drive was stopped in spectacular
manner near second base by Gehrin-
ger.
With one gone in the fourth frame.
Rice strolled and pilfered second. Cos