Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-13


~ rousing welcome by Cleve-
land fandom when the
Nationals line up against the In
dams for the first time this sea-
son, even though no special "day"
has been designated for Washing
tons young flrst-Sacker. This
city is pretty strong for its native
sons, and it claims as one the
former Cleveland sandlotter now
doing a good job at filling the
shoes of the recently de-appen-
I. dixed Joe Judge.
Well, Kuhel deserves the big hand
that's bound to come his way. He has
been O great fellow to have around with
the veteran Judge on the shelf When
he assumed Judges place at short notice
Kuhel took up a tough task. Judge
long has been recognized as one of the
best initial Sackers in the game and
Kub2l went to the post minus expert
ence and lot of other things. But he
has proved q wonderful help to the Ma
tionals in the emergency.
Kuhel has been most valuable in at
tack. In his nine games he has banged
the ball for the neat average of 1866
which would be splendid for q seasoned
veteran in the big show. Joe is still a
youngster and he now is getting his
flrst real chance against major league
pitching Joe has scored but five times
in the nine games, but with his Is hits,
one double, he has been responsible
for the crossing of dozen other tallies.
His hitting has played q considerable
part in the scoring of two Washington
wins, especially in that over the Tigers
in IL innings at Detroit last Sunday.
Joe now looks quite cool at the plate
and he takes a healthy swing at any,
thing coming up that appears good. The
young fellow does not seem one to sink
with his bat on his shoulder.
Despite some tactical blunderS, Kuhel
has done well aheld, too. He covers
a lot Of territory and his tallness en-
ables him to pull down high throws
and Founders with surprising ease.
Those tactical blunders may be charged
to his inexperience more than any
thing else. He is g willing worker and
q good listener to advice given by the
older ball players, who are glad to tell
him something of the knack of first
basing.
Cleveland may well be proud of its
Sandlot product now making his way
in the majors. And Washington fan
dom should be tickled its club has such
player around when that appendicitis
attack laid low the veteran Judge.
D AIN that prevented clash yester-
~ day between Nationals and In
dams probably also washed out Al
Crowder's and Irving Hadleys chances
Of pitching in the short series here.
With only two games to be played be-
fore the johnson band moves on to
st. Louis. it looks as though Lloyd
Brown and Sam Jones will get the call
for mound service against the Tribe.
Manager johnson had intended
using Crowder on the hill yesterday,
but decided not to carry this choice
over to today, as he does not want to
interfere with Browns regular turn.
Lloyd Is by far the Nationals best bet
on the slab these days, and, If possible,
the left-hander is to get his shot at
the enemy on schedule.
Jones generally has been quite effec-
tive against the Indians in late cam
paigns, hence his selection for the series
wind-up that was expected to be
Hadley's shot.
Before rain curtailed the set the
Cleveland pitching slate had Clint
Brown, Yves Terrell and Willis Hudlin
Now 1t seems Brown and Terrell will
be used
However, Manager Peckinpaugh may
switch TO the left-handed Walter Miller
for one of the games. The other clubs
dote on employing Southpaws against
the Nationals, so Peck also may try 1t.
This Miller person long has been trou-
bleSome to the Washington club. His
ability to lick the Nationals consistently
perhaps has kept Walter in the big
show.
CLEVELAND has been in q slump
~ similar TO that into which the Ma
tionals fell before breaking the spell
in Detroit and winning two games in
O row.
Prior to their brief streak, Johnsons
men were licked in six of eight games
and once dropped three games In sue
ceSsion. The indians after setting a
dizzy pace from the seasons beginning
suddenly lost their grip on the situa-
ton. They have been trimmed in five
OF their last six engagements, losing
their last four.
For several years the Indians have
had habit Of making the pace for the
league at the outset of the season, then
fading after few weeks Of play. Looks
as though history will repeat itself.