Evening star., 1931-06-19

~LEVELAND, June 19.-Just
a two-club affair from now
~ on, this struggle for the
American League pennant,
with the Nationals chances to cop
depending greatly on what may
happen to the Athletics great pair
of pitchers, Bob Grove and George
Earnshaw.
Making fine fight, the Ma
tionals have narrowed the gap be-
tween themselves and the leaders
to two and one-half games. I'm
less Grove or EarnshaW cracks or
suffers injury, however, pulling
those AS from the top will mean
one tough task.
While the nationals have made a
great advance through their dozen VIC
tories in row, it does seem the AS
will have the inside track to the pen
nant so long as Grove and Earnshaw
are In condition to pitch regularly and
In the way they have pitched thus far,
not so pleasant for an ardent Wash
ington supporter to admit. But facts
are facts.
The Nationals are as great as the Ath-
letics af1eld and hit better. But even
with hurting they have had from
Fischer, Brown, Jones, Burke and the
remainder of the mound staff, they are
without the slab strength represented
by Grove and Earnshaw, who have won
more than so per cent of the world
champions tussles this season. Be-
tween them they have accounted for %
of the Philadelphia wins.
LOW fortunate the Athletics have
i been in their last three campaigns
in not having had either of these
two great pitchers out of commission
for a prolonged period. Neither Grove
nor Earnshaw in three seasons has been
handicapped by serious hurt 1t was
Superhurling by this pair that carried
Connie Mack's club to success in 1929
and 1880, and these two wonder
moundsmen have given it a great start
this year. Had either one been out OF
action for any length of time early this
season, the Nationals today undoubtedly
would be leading the procession.
Should either Grove or EarnshaW soon
crack under the strain of heavy toll
or be seriously injured, it seems certain
the Nationals would leap to the front
and remain there. Only in the box
and behind the bat do the AS look SUI
better behind the bat only when the
remarkable Mickey Cochrane is on the
job. Sinus trouble now has Cochrane
on the side line, but despite the loss
of this important member of their cast
the Mackmen manage to carry on.
But that great pitching strength could
be lessened considerably by injury to
either Grove or Earnshaw, while on the
other hand, the National corps, with
strength spread over greater number
of hurlerS, would not be weakened so
seriously should one suffer injury.
THE Nationals are very much in this
i pennant race and, with "reater re-
serve strength, are in splendid
position to take command should the
Athletics slip ever so little. And Slip
the AS woodland not so little-should
the fateS rob them of Grove or Earn
shaw for any length of time.
For the double-header with the In
dams tomorrow Manager Johnson plans
to use pair of his left-handed hurl-
ers. Carl Fischer and Lloyd Brown,
Tribe this season, are slated to go.
However, the Washington pilot, who
has been handling his pitchers in fine
fashion since the start of the campaign,
will have in reserve Irving Hadley, iron
man of the reserve corps. In recent
performances Bump has pitched some
remarkable base ball, and he soon may
get another chance to show his wares
as starter, now that Fred Marberry
Is in good trim to resume his task as
relief worker.
Dave Harris, who has been specialize
ing in socking safeties when the Ma
tionals so sorely needed them, is to be
kept in the right-field berth. recent re-
ports to the contrary Notwithstanding,
SO long as Harry displays the punch
that has been so helpful to his club.
Sam Rice will be called upon for
emergency duty only.
Joe Kuhel, snappy young first sacker,
Is nursing sty that yesterday had his
left eye greatly inflamed. 1t was much
better this morning. though, and Kuhel
was TO be at the initial station as usual
ei1is afternoon.