Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-20
CROWDER CERTAIN
HE FINALLY IS FIT
Postponement of White Sox
Opener Irksome to Liska,
KuheI and Myer.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

~ for OSsie Bluege made in
his batting! In the first
three weeks of the campaign
WaShington'S third baseman was
the weak member of the batting
order. He found it difficult to get
his eye on the ball, and when he
did meet it he generally did SO
with little power in his swing. So
after a particularly poor showing
against the left-handed George
Walberg Of the Athletics in Grit
fifth Stadium, Manager Johnson
derricked OSSie. Idle two days,
Bluege returned to the game in
New York on May 6, and since has
walloped the ball for a cool .463.
Bluege has been in 10 games since
his lay-oh and failed to drive the ball
to safety in but one. That was the first
game of the double header in st. Louis
last Sunday. But Sam Gray's pitching
was so good then Bluege had plenty OF
company in the hitless class. All told,
in the 10 engagements Bluege has col
lected 19 hits in Al times at bat, his
hits ranging in length from singles to
homerS.
The first day he got back into action
Bluege slammed double and homer,
and in only two of the nine games in
which he has hit has he been held to
lone safety. Eleven singles, four
doubles and as many homerS have been
clouted during his streak by this Ma
tional, who was such a mark for OPP
IL.
his 46 trips to the plate in the 10
games, OSsie also has received three
passes, been hit once and once put
down a sacrificial bunt. He has reached
first base IS times, only twice by Fore
ing out q runner.
And how this 1O-game hitting streak
Of Bluege's has helped the Nationals.
He has crossed the plate nine times and
his clouting has been responsible for
the scoring of dozen runs. That two
day rest certainly was great medicine
for Ossie.
A L CROWDER, who still thinks he is
"A ready to pitch well despite the
drubbing he took in st. Louis
Sunday when he went route on the
hill for the first time this season, has
asked Manager johnson for go at the
White Sox here and he is likely to get
it tomorrow in the windup of the
series.
johnson originally planned to. use
either Marberry or Burke for the final
tilt of this first Western invasion Of
the year, but with Crowder so eager
to prove his worth the manager is In
clined to yield to the pitchers wishes.
Crowder, who was scored on in six
Of the eight innings he hurled against
the Browns, might have Jared better
had he not experimental so much with
his hurting. He appeared to try too
hard to fool every man that came TO
the plate, and as q result often had
the count decidedly against him. This
made it necessary for him to stick the
bali right through the heart Of the
plate frequently, and almost every time
he did SO good, healthy hit resulted
But Crowder declares the eight in
ningS of toll did not tire his arm in
the least. He says the effort benefited
him more than all other work he had
done since the start of the campaign,
and he wants TO prove this in a tussle
here.
DISAPPOINTMENT of yesterdays game
i with the White Sox because of an
all-day doWnpour simply moved
Sad Sam Jones pitching turn over to
today. Jones last worked against the
Indians on Thursday of last week. The
i've days Of rest between starts should
mean much to the veteran seeking his
fourth win Of the season.
The enforced 1dleness did not appeal
particularly to Ad Liska, Joe Kuhel and
Buddy Myer. Liska, who hasn't had a
hill workout since last Friday when he
pitched against the Lincoln, Nebr., bat
tiers in practice. wants to show Man
ager johnson that his salary wing
which went back on him while in train
ing down South. Is o. K once more
after three weeks Of treatment. He
had hoped to hurl to batters yesterday
Kuhel' wants all the exercise he can
get 10 strengthen the knee that was
out OF kilter for a time, while Myer
says his wrist that was sprained is
sound once more and he is eager TO
resume play.
Lloyd Brown, star left-hand hurler.
left the club yesterday for Washington
TO be with his Ill wife. Mrs. Browns
illness is not accounted especially seri-
Gus, however. and Lloyd Is to Join the
cluo In New York Saturday TO pitch
he