Evening star., 1936-06-05
VET IMPRESSIVE
DESPITE LOSSES
Pitching Record Good, but
Mates Fail to Support
Fred in Attack.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN.

the f1rSt place, but FRED MAJ
berry seems to be making GER
Il tain that nobody connected
with the Nationals these days is 60
ing to look him in the mouth. The mel
lowing Texan, despite two defeats as
against no victories so far in Wash
ington uniform, looks as though he
will be useful sort Of a pitching fell
low to have around.
This was about the only develop
ment Of any pleasantly attached to
the Friffs today as back in fifth place
once more and perilously close to the
sixth hole, they opened three-game
series with the Detroit Tigers. Fred
die had a chance to pitch the Ma
tionals close to third place in the
American League standing yesterday
and he gave 'em chance. 1t wasn't
his fault, exactly, that the Browns
finally won a game from Washington.
The Nationals bats. which had
ratified off sufficient hits to produce
% runs in the two previous games,
only manufactured two scores for
Marberry. who left the premises after
his initial start with a 80 count
against him. Eventually the Wash
ingtons lost, to 2.
Weak at Bat, Not on Slab.
THE setback yesterday, however,
wasn't a blow big enough to wipe
out the rather obvious revelation that
Marberry. who was cooking his leg
and pitching fast balls for Washing
ton a dozen years ago still is capable
of rendering valuable service from
time to time. Fred came to Owner
Clark Griffith and Manager Bucky
Harris few weeks ago and, as free
agent. offered his services. With some
rnisgivings, they we're accepted. Now
it looks as though signing Marberry
might have been a good move, what
with young pitchers as scarce as they
would seem to be by the almost J1tal
lack of any on the Nationals roster
So hard up for pitching was Harris
yesterday that he handed Marberry
something he didn't get in his hal
cyon days-a starting assignment. And
Fred, dead in earnest about this come
back business after year Of umplr-
ing. deserved a better fate than losing
another game. In seven innings he
gave up only six hits and with any
kind Of timely punch on the part OF
his teammates Fred probably would
have won Even so, it was an en-
couraging note he struck.
Has Best Record on Club.
THE fact that Marberry seems to be
playing in hard luck may have
detracted attention from the record
the big fellow has compiled since re-
joining the club with which he won
fame as the greatest relief pitcher in
base ball. Boiled down. he probably
has the best record of the Washing
ton curving corps in that he now has
pitched total of II innings. given up
only nine hits and generally conduct
ed himself in a manner indicating
much future use.
When he dropped his first game it
was not because Of poor pitching-to
batsmen, at least Marberry lost the
other decision to the White Sox when
he made a wild throw to third base,
permitting the winning run to score.
He isn't to be regular starting
pitcher. according to present plans of
Harris, but this is by no means form
of censure. Marberry Is no youngster
any more and he cannot work as often
as in by-gone days, when he broke
records for breaking into games. Be-
sides, he is too valuable as a relief
pitcher. But between relieving and,
mayhap, occasionally starting game,
Marberry promises to earn his MONTH
1y checks.
Hurlers Ready for Tiger Series.
MEANTIME, with Earl Whitehill,
A'A Jimmy De Shong and Buck
order, the Nationals today were to
carry their first-division fight to the
Tigers, who currently are their near
est obstacles. AS a result of yester-
days defeat and Detroits lopsided win
over the AS, Washington now trails
the Bengals for fourth place by full
game. This they hope to overcome
during the next couple days.
Nothing about yesterdays affair,
with the exception of Marberrys work,
was very acceptable. Elon Hogsett,
who last toiled for Detroit, pitched the
Browns. to their first win in seven
games over Washington. Hogsett, like
Marberry and Appleton, gave up 10
hits. The difference was that St.
Louis utilized their safeties to the ut
most, while the Washingtonians did
not.
For six innings it was a good pitch
ing battle, with Hogsett holding 30
lead. Then Marberry was lifted for a
pinch hitter and Appleton sent in to
finish. AS relief pitcher he was a
relief only to the Hornsbymen. They
jumped on Pete for four hits and
three more runs in the last couple
frames,