Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-19


~ series with no low moaning
of the st. Louis Blues, the
Nationals today we're quite hopeful
of getting the edge over the White
Sox in the three games set here
The Johnson band has performed
at a good clip against second
division outfits this seaSon-aS a
recognized pennant contender
should-and it sees no reason why
DOME Bush's Chicago aggregation
should check it.
Thus far the Nationals have en-
countered the clubs now occupying the
second division of the American League
in a dozen games and have bagged
eight of them. That's moving at a
.667 pace against the lower lot. Hold
ing to the pace would mean two VIC
tories in the three starts here.
Already the Washington club is as
sured of its most successful Western
trip in some time. It's record for the
present invasion of this sector will be
better than anything it accomplished
out this way last year no matter what
happens in the current series with the
White Sox.
The Nationals up to this set have
won seven games and lost two in the
West. The worst that can befall them
would be seven wins and five lickings
for the swing around the Western cir
cult. The best they did out this way
last season was trip for six wins and
seven defeats.
WHILE the Nationals have stepped
w along right well against the sec
ond division clubs, they have not
been world beaters against their rivals
in the first division of the league. OF
II games with these clubs, Jchnson's
charges have won just nine. That's
rot fast enough to get up to the top
Of the heap.
Inability to stop the Athletics put
the Nationals down and picking up the
ground lost to their most dangerous OPP
position will be some big task. The AS
have played to decision five less games
than the Nationals, but they have won
as many And they still have a chance
to win the five games that have gone
by the board for the Nationals. Some
early handicap for the johnson bano.
So fast has Connie Mack's crew
moved along that the Nationals, in
their IA remaining engagements with
the AS, must do lot of winning be-
sides continuing at rapid pace against
other first-division rivals If they would
be in ahead in September.
The world champions are making
the pennant-getting tougher for any
rival much earlier this year than last.
r OOKS as though the st. Louis mem
IL Der of the junior major circuit will
have difficult time keeping out of
the cellar this seaSon
The club recently licked by the Ma
tionalS in three of four games doesn't
appear as strong as the Red Sox, who
for some time have been chronic tall
enders in the American League. The
Browns are not so good afleld and
have little strength at bat Unless
Goslin or Kress manage to come
through with a solid slam at a crucial
moment the Browns offensive seems
wellnigh hopeless.
Nor are the Browns particularly good
on the hin. Outside of Walter Stew
art, left-hander, and George Blaehold-
er. Highlander, their pitchers are re-
markable for their inconsistence.
Gray, dependable moundsman not
30 many seasons back, has slipped con-
Siderably and appears good for worth
while game not so often. Back of this
trio Manager Bill Knlefer hasn't much
he can term pitching staff.
Around second base the Browns in
field is strong defensively. Levey, who
used TO star for Quantico Marine foot
ball teams, Is regular cat at short
stop. He is fast. can dig EN- up in all
directions and throws strongly and ac-
curately Melillo is even better at sec
ond than he was last season, and then
he was very good.
But neither is sturdy hitter. al
though both managed to haraSs Wash
ingtons pitchers. Kress is nothing
more than an average third baseman,
while Burns. the new man at first, is
an awkward fielder and quite uncer-
tain at bat
McNeely now playing center, Is the
best of the outfielders He has always
been hustler in the game and shades
Goslin as gardener, while the recruit
Jenkins in right can perform nearly
as well as Earl. But Earl is no hitter
Goslin Is having trouble clearing his
batting eye and jenkins, although ne
has lot Of power. is one-spot hitter
When he swings, the ball times out
OF 10 goes 10 left center. Thatll do
him no good.
Even the most ardent supporters of
the Browns can't sec their club get
ting anywhere this season.
Lew Fonseca, first sacker procured
from the Indians in exchange for Third
Baseman Willie Kamm last week, was
expected to report TO the White Sox to-
day in time TO start in the series against
the Nationals. Well Lew got only one
nit. a single. in eight times at bat when
the Nationals played the Indians last
week. Perhaps the Washington pitch
ers can stop him again.