Zachary Outduels Tigers' Collins as Nats Sneak Victory

Thursday, July 31, 1924: Nationals 1, Tigers 0

ZACHARY'S PERFECT PITCHING AIDS NATS

Game 101: at Detroit

A pitchers' duel falls the Senators' way to draw them ever closer toward recapturing the lead in the American League pennant race, as the Post's Frank H. Young details:

"Manager Bucky Harris sat on the Washington bench this afternoon, the victim of ptomaine poisoning, and watched his charges break the '13' jinx, which has barred the team's progress every time it has gotten within striking distance. When the Nats triumphed over the Tigers, 1 to 0, they finally captured the contest which puts them 13 full games over .500 mark, and 'from now on,' says the boy pilot, 'watch our smoke.'

"As a result of the Yankees' double defeat at the hands of St. Louis, Washington is now only a half-game from the top and a win tomorrow, while the Yanks lose, will again put the Nats on top of the heap.

"Baseball is a rather peculiar game in one respect and that is that the best playing is not always the most interesting. This contest found both of the pitchers, Tom Zachary (W, 7-6) for the Nats, and Old Rip Collins (season 14-7, 3.21 ERA) for the Tigers, in their best form, the combined efforts of the willow-wielders of both teams netting but seven bingles (sic).

"For short stretches it was simply one putout after another, and at times the fans appeared about as much interested as a man without legs would be in a radio talk on the care of the toes. At other times a runner on one team or the other would get on, but only in the fourth frame, when the Harris-managed crew coined the lone ringer of the pastime, were the hitters masters of the flingers in pinches.

"It is doubtful if Zachary has turned in a better effort than he showed this afternoon. Oddly enough two of the trio of hits curried from his delivery were good for extra bases, while the third was a bunt. Tom walked but one alien, despite the fact that he was in the hole times without number. Thrice the batters had counts of three balls and no strikes and were finally forced to 'pump or leave the handle,' while he frequently overcame similar advantages which the Tiger swatsmiths held over him temporarily, ending the game by making [Harry] Heilmann (season .346, 10 HRs, 114 RBI) ground to [SS Roger] Peck[inpaugh] with [Bob 'Fats'] Fothergill on second, after a 3-and-2 count.

"A four-hit game generally wins for a pitcher, but it did not today, the Nats getting half of the total in one frame, the fourth, a wild pitch also helping out the Washington cause. With one dead, [2B Ralph] Miller (1 for 4; .143) showed that he was a mighty good substitute for Harris by beating out a slow bouncer to Pratt. Collins then uncorked a wild one, which is what beat him, as it sent Ralph to second. As [Goose] Goslin's (2 for 3; .344) single, which followed, was a Texas Leaguer which Heilmann had no chance to get, Miller was able to get no further than third on it, registering on [Joe] Judge's (0 for 4; .313) grounder to deep short on which the Goose was forced at the middle sack. It was a rather cheap run at that, but as the game progressed and Zachary refused to 'crack,' it loomed up larger and larger with each succeeding inning. . . . The Nats threatened more often, but to no better account.

"Manager Harris contends that Walter Johnson never had more stuff than he showed in [yesterday's] game, when he was relieved after the second frame. 'Barney was simply hitting their bats for them,' says Bucky, and he intends to shoot the old master right back at the Cobbmen tomorrow. Just who will oppose is not known, as after today's game [Ty] Cobb stated that he had two or three all ready and would not make up his mind until just before the battle starts."

In other headlines:

TWO MAJOR PARTIES HAVE COMMON AIM, J.W. DAVIS HOLDS

"Addressing several hundred persons from steps of the Knox County [Maine] courthouse at Rockland, [Democratic presidential nominee John W.] Davis touched upon the subject that is to be the keynote of his acceptance address -- honesty in government. He declared that Democrats and Republicans alike 'are seeking an honest and upright and just government of these United States,' and added that each had different methods of obtaining it, but that both were working for the common goal."

THIRD PARTY HEADS MAY COMPROMISE ON STATE TICKETS

"Word has come from several states to national headquarters of the La Follette campaign that important groups supporting the national ticket are seeking to bring out state, senatorial and congressional candidates in the general election under the La Follette banner. The attempt everywhere has been discouraged by leaders in the independent movement, who have taken the view that every effort should be centered upon the piling up of an impressive popular vote for the national ticket."

DEFENSE DAY PLANS TO TEST PATRIOTISM OF NATION'S CAPITAL

"The general plan for the day [Sept. 12], according to the War Department, has two main objectives, 'patriotic demonstrations and a test of mobilization.' The local committee will follow instructions from the department, and it is hoped to make the demonstration and mobilization here effective to the highest degree. . . . 'National Defense Day in Washington will be observed in a most practical way and with all the fervor and enthusiasm of which red-blooded Americans are capable,' a statement by the committee declares."

TEMPERATURE UP TO 103; 3 PROSTRATED BY THE HEAT

"A torrid wave which held the city in its grasp throughout yesterday, and sent the mercury climbing to a mark as high as has yet been reached this summer, caused three heat prostrations. The thermometer at the weather bureau kiosk on Pennsylvania Avenue registered 103, remaining above 100 for several hours."

BOYS, STEALING PEARS, CAUSE BURGLAR ALARMS

"The spacious grounds surrounding the mansion of Henry White, 1624 Crescent St. NW, former ambassador to Italy and France, literally swarmed with heavily armed policemen and detectives last night following the receipt at police headquarters of a 'tip' that burglars had entered the place. The police found nothing and it is believed that whoever called the police saw some boys raiding pear trees on the grounds."

This Day in Washington Baseball History:

1909: For the second time in two years -- the other being May 25, 1908 -- Chicago's Bill Burns loses a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth. Washington's Otis Clymer (season .196) breaks it up with a single, but Burns and the White Sox win, 1-0, getting the better of Walter Johnson in the first game of a doubleheader. Burns is the only pitcher to twice lose a no-hitter to the potential final out, until Dave Stieb of Toronto manages to do it within one week (September 24 and 30, 1988).

1959: Washington's Pedro Ramos (season 13-19, 4.16 ERA) holds Chicago to one hit throughout seven innings before leaving with a sore elbow; the White Sox score subsequently score twice in the ninth to beat the Senators, 2-1, for Washington's 14th consecutive loss.

1962: Mickey Mantle is on the bench with a wrenched knee, but Moose Skowron picks up the slack for the Yankees, ripping a grand slam at D.C. Stadium to beat the Senators, 9-5.

Number of days since the Washington Senators last played: 11,991

Estimated attendance at the Montreal/San Juan/Monterrey Expos' last home game: 7,147 (July 27, 2004)