Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-08

The Nationals realize that this last
fling at the West is to be no easy
proposition. though. The American
League representatives of this section
have given the two-time champions n
tough fight of il all year. OF the 20
games played to date with the Indians,
Tigers, White Sox and Browns, the
Nationals have won but 81. And in
the 80 times they encountered these
clubs out this way, the Nationals were
able to win only on a dozen occasions.
Punished i'm West.
They have found the going especial
" rough in three of the cities to be
visited during this tour. Eight games
have been played in Cleveland, where
a series will be opened Saturday; as
many have been staged in Chicago
and a like number in st. Louis. In
each of these places the Nationals
have triumphed but three times
Their best work in the West has Deen
done in Detroit. They took three OF
the half-dozen tits with the Tigers IN
the center of the automobile industry.
On past performances the Nationals
figure to win of the TX games que
with the West. Prospects according
TO the statistics are that they Will bag
one of the four games to be played
with the Indians, four of the seven
with the Tigers, two of the three
with the White SoX and two OF the
four with the Browns Even that
seems a large order.
The National team making TINS
final Western trip is far different rom
the outfit that made the first two
tours of this section THIS year. ne
work of reconstruction that began III
July has about been completed anu
Bucky Harris now heads a ihuth
Notwithstanding machine. Dlscoru-
ant elements have been eliminated SO
that now there is no hint of lack
of harmony in the organization.
This Western swing is expected TO
afford an opportunity for greater I'M
movement of the club. 1t VIII en-
able Manager Harris to gain a better
estimate of the value of the players
recently added to the Nationals roS-
ter and also "A chance to take Il Goou
look at material that has been pur-
chased for the upbuilding OF the cruz
next year.
Two HurIers Come Back.
OF the quartet of slabmen slated to
ioin the ranks this week and next
Manager Harris has falr ldea Oh
the capabilities of two. Lefty Thomas,
who is to come back from Rochester,
whence he was sent By birmingham
that had procured him from the
Champions. was with the clup long
enough last season and this year AT
the Florida training camp and during
the championship campaign to re-
veal lust about what he has as
pitcher. And Bump iIadley, recalled
from Birmingham. also had lengthy
STAY with the Nationals in the spring.
Thomas great trouble while he was
in the big league was lack of control,
n common fault with youthful south
nav fingers. Ii Thomas has over
come this defect he may land a
permanent job with the Nationals,
for they need portside pitching.
Glowing reports of Hadley'S great I'M
movement have come from the South
and this stocky ex-Brown University
hurler soon may be good for major
circuit service.
So far as Harris knows now Fat
LOTUS. bought from New Haven. and
Toe Carroll, purchased from Little
Rock, are just minor league pitchers.
But both of these fellows are 10 ne
with the club soon and the manager
will give them a careful looking over.
Catching Talent Needed.
At present the Nationals are con
earned with rounding up few eaten
els. Their hackstoppinS staff once
more is reduced to two members,
Brandon. recently brought from
Portsmouth. having been returned TO
that club. Apparently he did not
show enough worth to warrant con,
sideration just now. SO Muddy Ruei
and Benny Tate will be forced to 90
plenty of bullpen work as we'll as take
turns behind the bat in championship
filts fol. a. week or two at least.