Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-07
CLUB IS RETURNING
IN GOOD CONDITION
Only Three of "a Players OFF
- Form-Marberry Does
Well on Mound.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,
SPORTS Editor, The Star.


Tomorrow fans OF the
~ Capital will be able to see
for themselves what six
weeks of training has accom-
pliShed for the Washington play
ers when they tackle the Boston
Braves at Griffith Stadium in the
first of five final exhibitions prior
to the start of the American
League championship campaign
next Tuesday.
They will entertain the Philadelphia
club of the National League Thursday,
abe the guests of the Orioles at Balh-
more Friday and after a return en-
ga4ement with the Birds at Seventh
street and Florida avenue Saturday, will
play host to the Rochester Red Wings,
champions of the International League,
In Sabbath setto.
With only a few exceptions their
home town boosters will find the Ma
tionals in fine fettle for the opening Of
q season in which they are almost
unanimously conceded the best chance
to knock Connie Macks Mauling Mon
archs of their throne and achieve
pennant after a flve-year lapse.
OF the two dozen performers now
~ slated to make the race only three
--Ad Liska, Joe Kuhel and Walter
A 1huscher-are not up to scratch and
2 the disability of the last mentioned is
only temporary. The Texas League
fdraftee still is limping from twice being
y struck on the same foot by batted
hall more than week ago, but con-
utriveS to get in some exercise daily ana
should be as spry as ever by the time
: the curtain rises.
In the contest in which he was hurt
with Baltimore at Gulfport week ago
Sunday-Tauscher gave game exhibit
ton and blanked the Orioles during his
fiVe-frame stretch on the rubber. His
unsteadiness, due in large measure to
the tender hoof and faulty support, had
him constantly in trouble, but he al
lowed only four safet.es, never more
than one to an inning, and was eff
fective in the pinches as the eight Birds
stranded on the runwayS attested. He
displayed plenty Of poiSe and enough
stuff to indicate he will De valuable for
pinch-pitching purposes.
.TUHEL'S backwardness has to do
n solely with the lack Of form he
has shown at bat and cannot be
blamed on the few pounds OF extra
weight he is carrying, for he Is held
ing as flashily as ever, which Is saying
q great deal
OF course, none CT the Nationals has
been burning I'D the Dixie diamonds
with consistent sticking, but none has
looked as pitiful at the plate as the
S65 900 acquisition from Kansas City,
who has yet to make q safety In q real
ball game.
The management has been banking
on Kuhel to afford Joe Judge the rest
periods the veteran Is bound to need
In the course Of the regular campaign,
but he hasn't a Chinaman's chance TO
horn into the lineup as things stand
now. It is hoped his orbS viii clear
shortly, but at present he is total mop
at bat.
Z ATHE case of Lska is somewhat puZ-
4 cling. He has been complaining
of a sore arm for about month,
and as a consequence has been given
vsky little work to do. Since he BANKED
!, the Orioles for three rounds with
creditable exhibition in the second
game of the training season Liska has
been called on for slab service only
once, against the House OF David team
last Wednesday, and then had TO be
yanked through inability TO get the ball
over the plate, walking three and hit
ting one in his uncompleted inning.
Liska was considered q fine prospect
when he Joined the Nationals two years
ago this Spring. He had the hearty
Endorsement of the late Joe Cantillon.
a fine judge of talent. and at times has
shown flashes OF ability, although fire.
uuently unable to perform, for some
cause or another. Manager Johnson Is
displaying lot Of patience with Ad and
IL is assured he will get every conSlo-
Grafton, but If he doesn't show some
thing within a reasonable length OF
tine will be shunted back to the bushes,
'probably right here.
livery other member Of the enSem-
IL Die appears to be in fine form and
this goes for Fred Marberry, always
a late starter, in view Of the showing
he made yesterday In travelling the fun
distance on the hill against the Look
displayed good form and unexpected
stamina. He allowed only five hits and
IL his mates had made better use OF
the dozen bingles they acquired of a
pair Of Joe Engle's hirelings would have
COPIED with something to spare.
Steve Ellis, an experienced right
handler. limited the Griffmen to one hit
in each Of the first five frames, display
ing a well controlled hook and plenty
of speed, but weakened in the sixth
when Os Bluege's double and singles
by Cliff Bolton and Jack Hayes got the
Nationals their two runs. At that the
result would have been but single
= tally for the big leaguers had Ellis not
rnussed up a topped bounder from the
bat of Marberry.
Prank Ragland, another northpaw,
held the Nationals at bay in the last
hree innings.
All the Grifmen except Sam West
broke into the hit column with Heinie
Manush, Judge. Bolton and Hayes col
Iecting two apiece.
president Clark Grifith left for
Washington yesterday evening, not
waiting to see the final tilt with
the Lookouts today, in which Bob Burke
was scheduled to pitch.
The Nationals entrain for the Cap
ltal after the game and are due to ar
rive shortly before noon tomorrow.
lAETER ATHI ETIc HEAD