Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-27

SSSIu W UG tIle NdIlOildlS
- year in the East. The club
that last season ran rough
shod over its league neighbors, but
made little Roadway against its
opponents in the inland sector of
the circuit, has travelled in reverse
in the current campaign. Unless
the Johnson band in the future
manages to make a better show
ing against its Eastern rivals than
it has it will find keeping up in
the American League race a little
too much for it.
In 1880 the East was easy pickings
for the Nationals. They bested the Ath-
letics and gave the Yankees and the
Red Sox sound thrashings. Against these
three clubs Washington played at a .697
rate. But it was unable to do much
with the West, and only through rail-
lies on its own lot in competition with
the four inland clubs was it able to
average as much as .545 against them.
Vastly different this year. The club
that but recently swept through the
West at an .818 pace. winning nine
games and losing two, hasn't found the
with the seaboard outfits the Nationals
have been beaten dozen times. In the
other dozen games they triumphed II
times and played once to tie. That's
a pace of .478, against last years .697.
That's one reason why the Washing
ton club, although in third place in the
race, is so far back of the leading AS
today 1t isn't making the grade against
the East.
THIS last-place Boston club has no
i right 10 play the Nationals to an
even break over an eight-game
stretch, yet that is just what it has
done. All last season the Red Sox took
but five games from the johnson band
IS out of %. With IA games still to
be played with the Nationals this sea-
son, the Red Sox already have scored
over them four times.
With a double header scheduled to-
day and a single engagement tomor-
row. however, the Nationals have more
than fair chance to regain an advan-
tage over Manager Collins crew. They
were to get their pitching from the left
handlers, Lloyd Brown and Carl Fischer.
in the twin bill. Tomorrow Manager
johnson plans to send Al Crowder
against the Red Sox for the third time
this Spring Crowder has been licked
once by the Red Sox and was somewhat
fortunate to get away with a win over
them in Washington last Sunday. He
is to get the call. though, over Bob
Burke. lanky southpaw Johnson first
had figured to start here.
With Fred Marberry, who was the
clubs first choice for relief hurting,
nursing leg injury, johnson deems it
best to hold Burke in reserve for emer-
gency work. II sny Washington starter
falters Bob very likely will see action in
Fenway Park.
IN taking their 6-to-4 drubbing yes
i terday in the series opener. the Ma
tionals hit often, but not when hits
would do a lot Of good. They got Is
hits and two passes of Jack Russell,
while the Red Sox made 10 hits and
picked up pass of Sam Jones. Eight
Of the Nationals hits and their passes
were wasted. The Red Sox made no
use of but two of their safeties.
The Red SoX quickly piled up runs.
getting four before the Nationals started
scoring in the sixth inning. And after
the Nationals had struggled to a tie
they hoped on Jones in the eighth for
two runs that meant his first defeat of
the season following four wins and the
third victory over the Nationals this
year for Russell
1t was Jones lone pass that opened
LIE IlE%UIGdklIlk oOSGOIl uluAlB+ vain
Camp got it after going TO a three-and-
two count. Webb went to three-and-
two count, then doubled run across.
He moved up TO third as Spencer muffed
a throw from Jones, who had grabbed
the return from the outfield and
thought he had a chance TO nip Van
Camp at the plate. Actually there was
no chance TO prevent the score. Picker
4, ing's two-bagger tailed Webb and the
Nationals were licked.
THREE singles were CLEANED of Jones
i by the Red Sox in the first frame.
two of them helping toward a run.
Rothrock hit and moved to third when
Van Camp drove the ball to safety.
Webb sent long one TO West and Roth
rock scampered home after the catch.
The Nationals had two on with none
out in the third, but after Myer forced
out Jones a grounder by Sam Rice to
the second baseman meant a double
play. Hits were made by West and
Bluege after two were out in the fourth,
then Kuhel popped to the middle sacker.
Another run was chalked up by the
Red SoX In their fourth batting turn.
Pickering doubled of the left-field
fence Sweeney sacrificed and the tally
was registered after West bagged Oliver
hoist.
Sam Rice was a great help TO the Red
SOx in the nftn, Wncn tney maze TWO
scores. With two out Rothrock singled.
but IL seemed the inning was over when
Van Camp lofted TO right. Rice appar-
emily was camped under the ball but
the sun blinded him and the sphere
falling over his right shoulder bounded
away for a triple, counting Rothrock.
Webb's two-bagger pushed over another
marker.
ONE of those. base ball rarities de-
~ cislon reversal. paved the way u
Washington's two-run rally in the
sixth It had 10 do with the question
able 'momentary catch" always a
trouble-maker Manush opened the
inning with a liner over short, Rhyme
leaped to grab the ball only TO drop ii
as he landed on the ground. Umpire in
Chief Nallin promptly waved Heinie
out, bu. Manager johnson just as
promptly protested the decision. Nal
lin conferred with First Base Umpire
Owens and the latter ruled mo catch .
Everybody was happy except the Red
Sox and the Boston fans.
Cronin followed with a slam over
divers head to the center-field fence
for three bases. sending Manush
across, and Joe tailed as West was
thrown cut. Myers double and Sam
Rice's single with one out in the
seventh Melted the Nationals a third
score.
The Nationals tied in the eighth with