Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-21

I11hAOGLI I11A, Ap1A Oh
- Within the next 81 days
the fate of the Nationals
- this season is likely to be
determined. Following their game
with the Athletics here this after
noon, Manager Walter Johnson's
charges Jump back home, and eX-
cepting one day when they return
to Shibe Park fer another clash
with the world champions here,
they will play through May 25.
1t will be the Nationals big
chance to put themselves in the
going in the American League
race to stay.
Last season the johnson band came
up from its Southern training trip re-
garded an important factor in the pen
nant race. But it could not get its best
foot forward at the break, and was I'M
able to swing into a respectable stride
until the campaign was almost over.
This time it has hopes of making a
much better showing early in the race.
Playing more than month on the
home lot, virtually at the outset Of the
season, should prove a help. If 1t
doesn't, the road beyond may be found
too rough for the club to travel at a
good clip.
In their long home stand the Ma
tionals are to play 90 games. They will
face all league rivals. Although the
season still will have four months to
go to the finish, what is done before the
Nationals take their first long tour will
Just about make or break them. To a
man they sense this, and seemingly
they are prepared for the test. Theirs
is an optimistic spirit. They have con-
f1dence in themselves, yet not to such
an extent they do not realize how severe
a trial this long home stand Is apt to
become.
First of the clubs to visit the Ma
tionals will be the Red Sox, who helped
open the major league in Griffith Sta
dunn only a week ago. The world
champion Athletics and the Yankees
will follow the Hubmen, as mentioned.
Each of the clubs is to stage a three
game series in Washington. Then the
Western clubs will invade Griffith Sta
dium-the Browns for three games, the
Tigers for four, the White Sox for four,
and the Indians for three. After them
the AS and the Red Sox will visit
again.
A formidable lot. The Nationals already
know what a powerful kick the Ath-
letics possess, and they know how much
fight there is in the Red SoX and the
Yankees. They know of the West only
through hearsay. And they have heard
nothing to lead them to believe the
West will send to Washington any push
overs. Instead it appears the West has
strengthened all along the line. and
beating them this year probably will be
more difficult than it was last season.
DOBBY BURKE, cheated OF his
- chance to open fire against the Red
Sox in Boston last week, when snow
and cold forced the postponement OF
the last scheduled game Of the series,
is apt to get another chance to show
his left-hand pitching wares tomorrow
in the opener of the set with the Wag-
ner crew. About the only thing that
would keep Burke off the slab tomorrow
would be his employment in an emer-
gency role here this afternoon. Burke
looks fit and is rarin' to- go. If he puts
out the brand of pitching he did during
the Spring exhibition engagements, the
young man from Joliet likely will give
the Hubmen more than an interesting
afternoon.
n UMOR has it the Nationals owner
X ship is cooking W a trade that
will bring to the club a right-hand
hitting outfielder, but the rumor comes
from out of Washington. Nobody con-
nected with the Washington outfit who
is in a position to make an authoritative
staten mt will confirm 1t. Neither Is II
denied.
The Washington end of the deal, &C
cording to the rumor, involves Roy
Spencer, catcher, who refused to come
to terms with the club until the day
the season opened. 1t will be recalled
that President Clark Griffith dangled
Spencer before the management OF the
Indians during the training season.
hoping to get in exchange for the re-
ceiver Eddie Morgan, pounding right
handler, who has been used considerably
in the outfield. Then, however, the
Tribal chieftainS refused to listen 10
Grifith. But Cleveland needs catcner,
and may have changed its mind.
Spencer, who was informed he had TO
train at his own expense, although ne
had worked out three weeks with the
Augusta club of the South Atlantic
League before reporting until he con-
WINGED Manager johnson he was In
shape to play, now is in good trim, &C
cording to the Washington pilot. John-
son also says he is ready to recommend
that SpencerS name be placed on the
Nationals pay roll. But he does not say
he is ready to use Spencer. Roy was
not brought here for today's game, and
nothing is said as to when he will break
into contest.
JOHNSON and Sam Jones, pitcher,
reprimanded and sent home from
Boston last week, have composed
their differences, and Jones very likely
will be seen in action on the Nationals
home lot soon. Sam appears in right
good condition, and may break into one
of the games when the Athletics show
in Griffith Stadium.
T LLOYD BROWN bowls over the big
- ones as we'll as the little ones. He
looked fine against the Red SoX last
week, and in Washington yesterday
just as fine against the Yanks. Eight
hits, spread over four innings, is what
he allowed the New Workers, making
their first appearance of the year in the
National Capital, and he copied his
game, to 3.
Although Brown made two of the
eight hits credited to his side and tailed
twice, he vas given a great helping hand
by Goose GoslIn. 1t was the Goose who
started the making of the tying tally in
the third round by bouncing a two
Dagger off the right-field fence. and il
was the Goose who in the seventh drove
over two markers to put his club in
front by slamming triple against the
same barrier. Others helping were Ossie
Rluege, whose single put across the tie
shattering run in the eighth, and Sam
Rice, who singled two more over later
in that round.
Uncle Tom Zachary was the main
victim of the Washington attack. The
former National stabbed well until the
seventh, being reached for only -four
safeties and run up to that session. In
the seventh, though, he was socked fol