Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-15
MATS BEST READY
TO HURL IN SERIES
Club Aroused by Trimming
at Start, Eager to Get at
Champs Again.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

~ than one swallow makes a
Spring, so that licking
they took yesterday in the opening
game of their campaign did not
leave the Nationals downcast
To the contrary, they are more
aroused than when they tackled
the Athletics yesterday, and to a
man believe they'll give Connie
Mack's world champions and the
other clubs of the American
League plenty of trouble from
now on.
Manager Walter johnson has arranged
q pitching program for the remainder
Of the series with the visiting Philadel-
phians that Is calculated to more than
make matters Interesting for them in
the three engagements. In fact, John
son plans to throw at the AS the best
he has in slab stock and that's plenty.
This afternoon Irving Hadley was to
show the Athletics some of the brand
Of pitching they did not care particular
~ for last season while tomorrow Al
Crowder, who toiled only for an inning
yesterday, is slated to take the hill.
Following the off-day Friday, the Ma
tionals will go after the Athletics on
Saturday afternoon with that old war
horse, Sad Sam Jones, caring for their
dinging.
Enough in a pitching way to make
the Mackian horde do a deal of think
ing while they are here.
e. A TOUGH GAME TO LOSE" said
"A johnson after the Nationals took
their trimming in the season
inaugural, "but I don't believe we'll lose
many more games like that one. We
have no alibis for the defeat. The club
certainly had plenty of opportunities
to grab the game. The punch in the
pinch was missing, though.
'I was very well pleased with the
pitching done by Brown. That boy con-
WINGED me he is ready to shoulder q
lot Of the pitching for the club from
now on. He really did not weaken in
the ninth after holding the AS Aitless
for seven innings. To me, he looked as
strong as ever. However, I figured that
with Simmons coming up to bat and a
the spot for Marberry. And as the
inning ended" johnson stated, my
pick seemed right"
Take it from me-" the manager con-
cluded, you'll see lot 81 fine pitching
by this boy Brown during the season"
THERE was deal of speed noticeable
i in the Washington club in the
opening game. 1t moved about well
afield and on the bases. Its defense was
Of good order too, with the exception of
that one error made by Sam Rice. For
years the fielding of ground balls has
been something Of a weakness with
Sam, but the veteran Is no weakling
when it comes to handling lofts and line
drives. He looked quite good yesterday
IN making two running catches.
Myer did well enough at second base
to assure him the job unless he slumps
to a great extent defensively. He came
through with pair Of nifty stops, one
of a ball that Miller hit rather hard.
The banner fielding of the inner Gordon,
though, was that Of Cronins. His s.ops
back Of second Of skidders of the bats
Of Dykes and Boley were remarkable.
Harry Rice proved capable substi-
tute for Sam West in center field. He
handled nicely the two chances that
came his way and made q corking good
running catch Of Foxx's speedy drive to
end the fourth frame.
West. by the way, Is recovering from
his cold fast, and Is expected to get back
to the game not later than Sunday,
when the Red Sox open q series here.
Sam, although complaining Of feeling q
little weak yesterday. which was only
natural because he had had very little
to eat for three days on account Of his
illness. donned uniform and INDUCED
in brief workout. Following the exer-
else he was pretty tired. but declared he
would be out again today for more.
However. the club has little to worry
about regarding its defense. so there
seems no need for West to rush back to
work. Better for him to remain out Of
the lineup few DAYS more and return
fully recovered from his light flu attack
AEYER seems to have the makeup
wi of q top-notch lead-off batter. He
generally drives the ball hard
when he connects. which IS often
enough to give him good-looking bat
ting average each season. he looks over
the pitching carefully at the plate and
as a result Is rewarded with numerous
walks. and when he gets on the run
wsv he Is dangerous to the opposition.
Buddy had a keen eye yesterday at
the plate He helped himself to two
walks off Walberg and one off Grove
and cleaned a two-bagger of the first
OF these pitchers. He went down
swinging in the tenth. but 1t wasn't
a bad pitch by Grove that Buddy went
after. Bob simply had q little too
much on the ball for the batter.
washington's attack evidently is to be
more versatile than 1t was last season
Then the club Stunned the sacrifice
bunt, depending almost solely on hit
ting behind the runner. AS conSe-
quence, opposing infields after time
played deeply with Nationals on the
runway and cut Of many a well in
tended blow.
II was different yesterday. though
No less than four sacrifices were hunted
by Washington batters, two others were
attempted and one bunt was put down
so well it went for hit For several
seasons the Nationals did not have =
really good bunter among them. AL
those hunts yesterday, though. were
neatly made and by different batters
too.
It appears the sacrifice will be q big
part Of the Washington offensive this
season.