Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-23
JOE CRONIN'S PUNCH
NULL|F|EDBYSLUMP
Combination Accounts for
Griffs Being Held to Split
in Four Tits.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

tn ETROIT, Mich, June 23.-
AS Joe Cronin drives in
IL runs so goes the Washing
ton ball club, it seems.
While the Nationals were at home
Joe was the big punch in that
dozen-game winning streak, but
since they have come West he
has not pushed over many scores.
AS a result the Johnson band only
managed to break even in the
four engagements staged In
League Park, in Cleveland.
But the fault was not Joes in that
Cleveland series. True, he Slumped to
some extent at bat, hitting for just
1893 in four games, which was well be-
low his season average at the plate.
However, that was good hitting, but
those batting in front Of Cronin, who
had been getting on the runway ire.
quently while the club was at home.
were unable to do much against the
Indian hurlers.
Buddy Myer and Heinie Manush,
hard and frequent hitters and big Scor-
erS while the Nationals were in their
winning streak in Griffith Stadium, wilt
ed at bat in Cleveland. They were not
on the runway often enough to take
advantage Of the usually telling Cronin
punch. Myer slumped at bat to such
an extent that his average for the Sc
ries was only .167, while Manush did
little better, hitting for a mere .176.
Cronin was there with the hits, but
Myer and Manush were not there to
knenaHf through .IOe'S hlOWS
nURING the Cleveland set the most
- vigorous swatting was done by the
middle of the Nationals batting
order. Sammy West and Ossie Bluege
went on rampageS to the discontinue
of opposing pitchers. West, in the four
tits, banged for an even 500, while
Bluege was not far behind with .467.
Between them this pair drove over
IL runs and scored seven, figuring IN
the making of ID runs, and the Ma
tionals scored but % in the four games.
Roy Spencer, who has been coming back
at bat recently, hit for 400 in the
Cleveland series, but rarely was there
a runner on to be helped by Spencer's
hitting. With Myer and Manush club
bling so weakly after the oor-Swatting
pitchers who succeeded the catcher in
the order, little could be CLEANED from
Roy'S efforts at the plate.
While here for their four-game series
with the Tigers the Nationals viii be
without the services of Sam Jones, vet
eran regular turn pitcher. Jones left
the club in Cleveland for the second
time within a week to hurry to the
bedside of his mother, critically Ill at
the pitchers home in Woodsfleld. ONO.
Sam said before leaving Cleveland that
there was a little hope of change
for the better in his mothers condi-
ton. In fact, the nature of her illness
and her advanced age made him fear
she would not live through this week.
WHEN his club has not been getting
w along so well just trace OF rain
gives the big boss OF the organi-
cation an excuse to call OF ball game.
In Cleveland yesterday there was q
sprinkle shortly before noon. At 1880,
although the sky still was overcast, the
clouds were breaking, but the Indian
MANAGEMENT at that time decided 1t
would not be good afternoon for a
clash with the Nationals so the mo
game" sign was hung out.
Something new as an excuse for the
postponement was passed out by the
home Office. "Inclement weather" pre-
vented the contest according to the
Cleveland announcement. Yesterday
the field that had been covered all
night and morning was perfectly dry
and no rain had fallen for more than
two hours.
At 3 o'clock, the regular game start
ing time, the sun was on the job in
earnest.
While he was eager to have the
game disposed of on schedule, the post
ponement did not annoy Manager john
son. "Oh well, we can beat EN- in
August just as well as we can now" was
his reasoning. Besides we can stand
the lay of. That double-header OPEN
ing the Detroit series ought to give US