Evening star., 1927-05-01

another game here this after
noon. The weather man saw to
that. And as soon as the athletes
found themselves without an engage
ment they bundled UP their belong
ings and pointed for home, where
they are to entertain the Red SoX in
a Sunday bill and the Yankees for
four days thereafter.
Although the Athletics have been
tough customers so far, the Red Sox
have not, and the Nationals have an
idea they will treat Washington fans
10 their first Sunday win on the home
lot. And there is a great chance that
the club viii get a bit better pitching
than it has IN this City of Brotherly
Love If Manager Harris holds to his
hill plans. Horace Lisenbee will start
the hurting against the Hubmen, and
this young purchase from Memphis
seems to be a worth while mounds
man.
Isisbenbee, by the way, set three
records for himself when he appeared
I'm relief role in New York last Mon
day. He was chased from the field for
the first time in his base ball career
when Umpire Owen, who does not
want hall players 10 raise their voices
above 4 whisper when the game is
on, ordered the Washington bench
cleared. struck out Babe Ruth the
first time he ever pitched to him and
won his first American League en-
gagement. Naturally Horace feels
pretty clipper. and is ready for a
more thorough test.
Griffs Are Not Discouraged.
While Bucky Harris and company
do not relish the defeats they have
fol fnfa 1.A ali, r,fa Se
one whit discouraged, and Harris still
feels that within a short time enough
of his pitching talent will he working
in proper order to give the club a
fair deal on the slab. There are two
or three members of the hill staff that
have sorely disappointed Bucky. he
admits. but they will be retained for
time in hope that their work may inn
prove.
After showing signs of having
found itself when in Boston, the club
lately has fallen off in its defensive
play. This is not bothering the man
ager st present, though. Harris de-
clares that the slump in defense is a
natural consequence Of the poor
pitching of the last few games. and
that q return to good fielding form is
bound to come soon.
However, fielding faults recently
have been more mental than me-
chanical. There has been a woeful
lack OF cooperation between UltfieId
and infsl5. Infielders have been wool
gathering when outfielders we're ready
te make throws that might affect the
game materially. and oEltfielders have
Etubbornly held their ground, forcing
members of the inner Gordon to try
for catches that rightfully should be
attempted by the pasture men.
All of these rough spots in the
clubs technique will be ironed out
shortly, Harris contends. And prob
ably they win be smoothed soon AS
the inner and outer cordons of defense
are now constituted they are too
capable TO continue Topping about for
any great length of time.
Trip West to Tel Tale.
Just how good are the Nationals
this year cannot be judged By their
games SO far. Not until the swing
around the West, to be started in
st. Louis Next Saturday, is complet-
ed, can their strength be gauged with
any reasonable amount of certainty.
If the club has a fairly successful
trip--and as the clubs now stands
$3.50 break In the West could be con
sidered fairly successfully is apt to
cut quite q figure in the pennant
race. IL It fails to accomplish much
during It's initial invasion of the
West. then il probably can be count
ed out of the flag chase this season.
Washington fans may be certain
though. that their club is not going to
he counted out Of the running with
out putting up q hard battle. Bucky
Harris has the makings of a. really
good bah club and should two or
three of his Younger hurlers produce,
as he confidently expects they will,
the Nationals viii take a deal nf beat
ing. Individually. they are topnotch
hall players-if some of the pitchers
are excepted. All can field we'll: most
OF them can hit we'll Just bit more
hustle and team play is needed TO put
the club on its feet.
They will have the hustle. With a
manager like Buck Harris at the
helm. they viii have 10 show that.
As to the team play, that is some.
thing ept to come to the club over
night.
Just two years ago a Washington
club left its Florida training camp
anything but a good club. And for
nearly q week OF transforming it
was a sorry spectacle every time it
took the field. Then, suddenly, dur
ing a two-day stay al New Orleans,
came a great change. The Nationals
We're at once a club performing with
precision and spirit.
And that club that came out of
Florida in such a sad plight won an
American League championship.
Washington fans need not worry
shout their club Just yet All the wor-
rying at present will be done by Man
ager Harris. And he has plenty to
DO. Wait until the first swing around
The West is ended. Then every one
ought TO know just how good are the
Nationals this year
Absence Of Tate Hurts.
While Benny Tate is nursing the
finger he had smashed i'm Boston, the
Nationals attack is weakened TO
some extent. The chubby little catcher
is hitter of no little ability and has
been found quite handy to have
around as an emergency batter as
we'll as receiver. lie could have been
well used in the Philadelphia games
when Muddy Ruel was withdrawn in
favor of pinch slammers. With Mick
ey O'Neil not available because OF a
lame back, Manager Harris WAS com
PEELED 10 put John Berger behind. the
bat and the draftee from New Haven
can scarcely be reck0ned a punisher
w pitching. DcNStoi AttHES WHEii A'Vt
ger stepped 10 the plate with runners
waiting 10 be brought home. Benny
might have proved OF much more
value.
Al Crowder has an idea that his
pitching luck will change for the bet
Ter soon During his Philadelphia stay
he adopted black cat that strayed
into the hotel. where the club puts
,;u Al took good care Of the feline
-nving liver for il daily. And. though h
ne is not superstitious. Al feels some
victories are sproutins in his salary
wing.
At the rate ostpouements are nil.