Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-28
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

~ OSTON. June 2S-Bucky Har-
ris and his Nationals will be
at home tomorrow to begin
IL a five-day stay, then Wash
ington will see no more Of its
ball club until July 26. Following
four-game series with the Athletics
and a Sunday engagement with the
league-leading Yankees, the Nationals
will embark upon their longest tour
of the season, visiting New York and
points West before getting back TO
their own lot
The four games with the Athletics
promise plenty of action, for the Ma
tionals are more than anxious to head
Connie Mack's men when the Eastern
clubs begin their second invasion OF
the West early next month. There is
no great gap between these old rivals
now, despite the lacing the AS have
handed the Harrismen to date. While
the uncertain Mackmen have won
nine of a dozen starts against the Ma
tionals, the latter have Jared much
better against most of the other clubs
in the American League than have the
White Elephants.
Mats Gaining Strength.
Even though they took but two of
the series of five games played last
week in Philadelphia. Harris hench-
men appeared to much better advan-
tage in that set than in previous en-
counters with the AS. In fact, had
they put a bit more punch into their
efforts, they probably would have
grabbed four of the five tits.
The Philadelphia hurlers generally
are not performing wonders on the
mound at this time. and there Is no
reason to believe they will suddenly
become exceptionally strong in the
impending series in Washington. A
lively attack very likely would mean
considerable gain for the Nationals, as
their defense is fairly good.
Manager Harris has about decided
to send Hollis Thurston, one of the
two mound aces the club has had thus
far, against the Mackmen in the open
ing game Of the Washington series.
Thurstons official record includes ~
victories and 5 defeats, but he may
be charged with another loss on the
books when decision concerning a
game played in Philadelphia IN Aprll
is made. Fred Marberry, who relieved
Hollis in the contest in question, was
named losing pitcher at the time, but
the loss is apt to be charged to
Thurston's account after reconSidera-
ton of the game details.
With the Athletics engaged in such
a desperate struggle with the Yankees
at present, guessing their hurler Tor
tomorrows' tilt is something not TO De
attempted. Furthermore, Mack Is a.
noted juggler Of his moundsmen, any
how. But whoever goes Tor the AS
ia quite apt to be feeling still the
strain Of the New York series, and
that may not hurt the Nationals
cause any.
Red Sox Extend Griffs.
The Nationals had to work hard
Yesterday to win, 8 to 8, and make
their record over the Red Sox for the
present series four victories in row.
In the free-hitting affair, in which the
Hub crowd got Is safeties against IL
for Harris outfit, Horace Lisenbee,
who had won in his previous -FOUR
starts. was pounded so severely that
he left after six innings OF effort.
Fred Marberry, who followed the Ma
tional ace, was too wild for any good,
and he gave way to Bob Burke, after
letting the Red SoX get ahead with
the runs he forced over. Burke pitch
ed only one ball, and that was driven
by Charley Ruffing to Bob Reeves,
who made a retiring throw. AS the
Nationals forged to the front to re-
main there DeIOr0 0dI1dIiu -! oA|OAA
cams to the hill in the eighth ses-
sion. Burke, with his lone throw,
scored his first victory Of the year.
Braxton finished the game In GOOD
order, despite faulty support.
Ruling, who opened fire for the Red
Sox. also was poorly supported, out
managed to check the Nationals well
until the eighth. when he went out
after one retirement, leaving two on
the bases. The Nationals reached
Slim Harriss, Rulings successor. well
enough to tally these two runners and
two others before the round ended.
It was a single by Iris Speaker that
drove over the last Washington two
runs of the contest, in which the Red
Sox had twice held an advantage.
The Nationals broke into the scor-
ing column in the first inning with
out getting a hit, but only startling
one-hand play by Bluege prevented
the Red Sox from forging ahead in
the latter part Of the round. Passes to
McNeely and Harris and sacrifice flies
by Speaker and Goslin accounted for
the Washington tally. Then, after
Tobin fouled out, Lisenbee felt the
sting of Boston bats.
Rollings whipped a single to left
and pulled up at third when Carlyle
crashed a double against the terrace
back of left field. Both runners held
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