Evening star., 1928-06-16
'GR|FFS SIX GAMES
SHY OF GOAL NOW
Defeat of Tigers, Sd, in Ten
Innings Is Eighth Win in
Last Ten Contests.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

DETROIT, June l6.--A fifty-flfty
showing, at least, for the season by
July /. That's the goal the Nationals
have set for themselves. Licked by the
Athletics in Washington on April &C.
the clan Harris dropped below the 500
point in winning percentage and has
been below IL ever since. Having braced
recently, however. it is primed for a
struggle TO make its wins balance its
losses If nothing more at the halfway
state of the championship campaign.
Winning 5 to 4. in 10 innings over
the Tigers yesterday, the Nationals this
morning were six games shy of the 500
mark in the standings. That's one game
closer to it than they were when they
left home on May 20 for their grand
tour of the league that doesn't read
tike much of pickup in nearly four
weeks. but it really is a considerable
gain when it is recalled that in less
than a week after they got out of
Washington they were dozen games
below the fifty-fifty point and were far
from the midway mark when they
headed West.
In the past two weeks, however. the
Nationals have won of 10 games
played. a fast pace for any club to
follow. To reach the 500 point by
July ]. they would not have to travel at
such a clip during the remainder OF
this month. Including the contest
scheduled here this afternoon, the
Washington aggregation has 20 engage
paentS to fulfill before July /. Thirteen
victories in these 20 engagements would
assure the Nationals of 500 rating
at the start Of next month.
Club Showing Fight.
There is much more fight in the club
now than there was last month. It
has been oTerhauling opponents. that
got early leads, frequently in the past
few weeks and playing much smoother
brand Of base ball than it did. In
many tits in the East, all the Ma
tionals were able to do was make the
games close with late rallies. But they
were only close games The winning
margin did not favor the Washington
outfit often. 1t was especially helpless
In overtime battles. being nosed out in
four Of them in row. It's different
now. Within the week the Nationals
have fought their way To victory in two
extra-inning scraps.
In scoring their second successive
win over the Tigers yesterday, the Ma
tionals were outhit, II safeties to 10.
but they made good use Of most Of
their blows, something the home club
could not do. Garland Braxton and
Sam Gibson were mound rivals at the
outset Of hostilities, but Gibson was
Knocked out Of the game in the second
round when the Nationals gathered
four runs Thereafter. Braxton en-
gagged in fine pitching duel with Lii
Etoner until the sixth session Then
the Tigers hit the southpaw hard
enough to get within a run of the clan
Harris, and h1 the ninth got to Brax-
ton again 10 put themselves In position
% ties the game. when Fred Marberry
took the starting hurler.s place. Stoner.
after holding the Nationals to three
hits IN seven, innings, was nicked for as
many more and run In the tenth.
MaToerTy. too. was socked in the extra
inning. but was able TO protect his
clubs slender lead.
Rice Payes the Way.
Sam Rice paved the way to the de-
el&lVe tally with his third hit Of the
game. II was two-basger to left field
that opened the tenth round Jack
HAYES sacrificed neatly. then Red
Barnes cracked single 10 center and
the tally was registered After Sam
West flied out. Joe Judge singled Barnes
70 third base. Bob Reeves, though,
forced out Joe with grounder to
C5ick Galloway.
The Nationals got all their other runs
n the second session Goose GOgliu
iofsed out at the start Of the inning.
but Judge walked. Reeve rified 4
single 20 left. Paul EasterIing let the
bali go through the wickets, SO Judge
reached third and Reeves second. Ossle
BaQege's double To the left field corner
accounted for two markers Muddy
Fsaiel drew q pass only TO be forced out
DT BF&xtogl. Rice. though, sent Bluege
ia and advanced Eraato1 a station with
q one-baser. Here Stoner relieved Glib
son and was socked for a single by
HAYES that put Eraxton over the count
ing block.
Only one Tiger got as far as second
base until the sixth inning. Then, with
one out. BraZton was reached for three
successive hits. Charley Gehringer got
the third Of the four singles he made
IN the game, Harry Heilnann singled
and MARTY Mcbianus tripIed. McManus
crossed with me third run Of the round
ES Reeves threw out Eagterling.
EasteYlsng famed at the beginning
os the Tiger ninth but Red Eargraye.
batting for JACK Ta9ener, doubled, Bill
EHeeg1ey went IN 10 run for HargraVe
Sf1o Narberry relieved Bgazton Larry
W9o1sll, first 10 face the new nurier,
hned q single over Tseeyes' head and
Gweeney tailed with the tying run.
Goog1er sacrificed, but Barnes took good
care u JACK WaFner's hoist.
Harry Rice cilecred the Tigers some
what when he started their tenth bat
ting turn with single. He yas nlpDed
81 seee1o, though when Gehrlnger at
TEMPTED ~ G2crS!1ce Reeyes vent back
o. the midway saek. made sensational
SOP ~ EeilmaBn'g b0Under and tossed
~ Hayes ~ flag Gehrlngtr, and the
Tigers we're Mcked again when Me-
M2Da8 famed