Evening star., 1926-03-20

Ihomas and Jim Lyle, along with I'll
OF the slabhing burden this year.
While Kelley and Thomas virtually
arc assured of berths with the Ma
tionals, Lyle now must contend with
Morrell. as well as Irving Hadley. for
The third job on the staff open to a
recruit.
Only last week Harris looked to
Kelley, Thomas and Lyle az his best
bets among the recruits. with the last
mentioned being pressed closely by
lladley. player as yet unsigned.
Morrel. who had been suffering from
a sore flinging wing, had been unable
to show much real worth and was
counted about out of the running.
Gives Finished Performance.
But against the Phils yesterday
this former Tufts College and Eastern
League athlete demonstrated that he
must be reckoned with. His per-
formance was better by far than that
of Warren Ogden. who twirled during
The first three innings of the game.
Rnd Fred Narberry. who took the
next three rounds. In fact. Morrell
gave more finished performance
than any other National pitcher who
has toed the slab in this training sea-
son.
In the four innings he toiled he
had everything a pitcher needs in the
big league-Speed. control and a good
change of pace. His fast ball came
Through with a dazzling hop. and he
had the Philly sluggers dizzy. But
TWO hits were CLEANED off his delivery.
both scratches.
In the seventh inning Mokan
socked bounder to Ossie Bluege
11ny 10
quickly enough for a throw to first
base.
With two gone in the ninth inning
this same Mokan skyrocketed toward
the center of the diamond and
Bluege and Bennie Tate started for
the ball Judge called for Bluege to
make the catch and Tate stopped.
but Ossie misunderstood the order
and as a consequence the sphere fell
safely at his feet.
That was all the Phils could get
off Bill. If he has a sore arm. the
other National pitchers on their per-
formance, go far. must have dead
ones.
Possesses Good Head.
Unlike Lyle and Hadley. Morrell
seems to know what it is all about
when he steps TO the hill to pitch.
y
Sence and applies it. Lyle and Had
ley have been particularly good when
there was no one on the bases. but
with a cushion or cushions occupied
they have not been so good.
This Morrell fellow, though. is as
cool as a cucumber when in such
trouble. Mokan. in the seventh in
ming. had no opportunity to make any
|break for second and Morrell never
.i-n cd in, 60
ters following Mokan were unable to
knock the ball out of the intield. With
Mokan on in the ninth. Morrell
hurled with such speed that Huber
was fortunate TO knock the foul that
was gathered in by Judge.
Morrell is as game as they make
EN-, too. He showed that in his bat
|tinS turn in the tenth. When he
stepped to the plate for the first time
for Dutch Clrich. All Morrell did
was fan Justify. his third swing being
at ball far outside.
But when he came to bat in the
tenth Buddy N1yer was on second by
virtue of a single and theft with two
gone. And Morrell, after shooting
long foul down third base line. rifled
he ball toward Ulrich, almost knock
ing that worthy off his pins. The
sphere went on to centerfield and
Myer raced home with what proved
the decisive tally.
Finishes Strong i'm Box.
The Phils sent in two pinch batters
in their tenth hating turn in a.
desperate effort to get back into the
running, but Morrell. unruffied. moved
them down as he had done the lead
of Il nf ho
every bit a pitcher and will bear a
deal of consideration before final de-
csion as to which recruit pitchers
are to be retained is reached.
Getting their bats busy in the sec
ond inning. the Nationals loomed as
easy victors in the fray. They hop
ped on Art Decatur for four hits and
three runs in the second session and
added a. tally in the third with a
pass. a hit and a sacrifice.
But Ogden. who had started well.
was nicked for a marker in the sec
ond round and for five runs in the
third. In this last-mentioned inning
there were two out and a runner on
second when Leach sent a. vicious
smash directly at Ogden. The pitcher
contrlved to prevent the ball from hit
ting him. but was knocked down.
threw wildly over Judge, allowing
Sand to score and Leach to reach
second. Singles by Bentley and
Mokan and a, homer by Huber fol.
lowed
Marbcrry Looks Better.
The Nationals got only one hit. a
single by Tate. off Ernie Maun. who
pitched the second three Ginning block
f..l, l,n 1,i1c
nicked Marberry for a tally in the
fourth. Maun opened that frame with
II single, then Fred famed Sand and
Williams. Leach. though. tripled to
center. Marberry's pitching, however,
was much better than his effort last
Saturday against the Braves. Fred
had his fast ball slipping through in
fine order.
Ulrich was facing the Nationals
when they came up for their seventh
batting turn, and they lost no time in
knotting the count. Two passes were
followed by two retirements. but
Bluege's single tailed Bucky Harris
and McNeely. while the hitter took
second on the throw to the plate.
ATyer then singled Bluege home with
the tying run. Thereafter Morrell did
tho heavy work.
In the fifth inning Sam Rice was hit
Just below the right knee by a pitched
ball and painfully. but not seriously,
injured. He gave way to McNeely
after reaching base, but was expected
1" return to the game today.
Manager Harris has announced that
Walter Johnson will make his first
start of the year next Monday against
he Reds at Tampa. Dutch Ruether
also Is slated to make his debut Mon.
day instead of today.