Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-28

I nth place IN the American
~ League-that was the task
ahead of the Nationals as they
steamed into Chicago this morning
The club moved into fifth position
yesterday by beating the Browns at st.
Louis, Z to 4. while the White Sox were
bowling to the Athletics here. But the
Nationals were in fifth position after
those Friday happenings by only
point, and they'll have to break even
or better In the six tits here to remain
at the head of the second division.
When the Nationals last visited Chi
cago they played but two games and
won both. However, when they last
faced the Chisox in Washington the
Nationals were licked in three Of four
starts. At that time Lena Blackburne
had just assumed the leadership of the
White Sox and they played somewhat
above their heads. Recently they have
been settling to their normal stride,
while the Nationals in their last two
games at St. Louis indicated that they
might be ready to do some more win
ming
With double-headers this afternoon
and tomorrow, the Washington pitchers
will have plenty to do and there are
not so many Washington pitchers avail
able for first-class duty. The entire
pitching staff numbers but eight. and
two OF these are ailing. Irving Had
ley's stomach has been causing him
trouble since the club came West. and
Garland Braxton is suffering with
heavy cold. Both of these fellows had
because of their ailments.
Has Tough Task.
Milton CASTOR did not find it so easy
yesterday to subdue his old teammates
in ST. Louis The Nationals staked Milt
to good lead at the expense of George
Blaeholder. but the peSky Browns kept
pecking away at Milt until they knotted
the count in the eighth at 4-all. The
Nationals, however, after forcing Blae-
holder from the slab in the ninth fell
upon the relief pitching of Jack Ogden
ard got themselves three runs to tuck
the game away.
All these runs came after two were
out. .oo 1t was single by Red Barnes
at the outset of the ninth that forced
Blaeholder's retirement. Sam Rice fol-
lowed with another single which bound
ed off Umpire Harry Geisel's leg as soon
as Ogden got to the hill West though.
famed and joe judges hoist TO Frank
MCGOWAN in deep cented did nothing
more than move Barnes to third. Rice.
however, pilfered second and scored
with Barnes when Ossie Bluege rifled
single to left. OSsie took second on the
throw to the plate and when Otis Bran
non allowed Joe Cronin's grounder to
90 through the wicketS Bluege counted.
The Browns kicked up a bit of fuss
in their last batting turn. Wally Schang
cot single and so did Guy Sturdy.
batting for Ogden. Wally got to third
as Blue forced out Sturdy. but Blackie
O'Rourks drilled into a double play.
Get Flying Start.
The Nationals pounded Blaeholder
hard for their first three runs. Barnes
doubled. Rice sacrificed. Goose Goslin
tripled and Judge doubled for TWO
markers in round No. and in session
No 2 after two were out Barnes singled
and Rice tripled for third marker.
The Browns put over q run in the
fourth with brace of hits and pass.
and after Cronin's triple back of two
errors produced Washington run,
they put across two more in the fifth.
Blues walk and Heinie Manusll'S
homer. driven into the right-field pavil-
ion. accounted for them.
Goslin almost scored for the Ma
tionals In the seventh He doubled.
end raced for the plate when Judge
singled. The Goose went in standing
up. though. and was nipped by Nc
Neely's heave
Red Kress double started the Browns
toward their tying tally in the eighth.
MCGOWAN sacrificed, then Brannon
bounced a single of Cronin's map.
The ball. taking a mean bound, struck
the National ShortStop full on the
mouth. and the blow all but knocked
him out The hit. Of course, scored
KresS, but when Brannon tried to take
second he was caught BY Bluege's
throw. McNeely then drew q pass,
only TO become the third out when he
attempted to steal.