Evening star., 1938-07-02
GR|FFMEN'S UMPH
SINKS NEAR ZERO
Hurting Shot, Club Joins
Zeke's Slump as Second
Division Beckons.
BY BURTON HAWKINS,
Stan Correspondent of The Star.

NEW YORK, July 2.-Perplexed
and panicky over the sudden paralysis
Of their hitherto redeeming feature
power-the tobogganing Nationals to-
day were close enough to fifth place to
scan the eyesore scenery of the sec
ond division, which may be their home
for the season.
Their sole remedy for hammy hurl-
ing nullified by q recent complete coll
lapse Of hitting, having been held to
the feeble total Of six hits in each Of
their last two games. the Mats were
eager to vacate the lair Of the onrush-
ing Yankees and head into the less
respectable company of the Athletics.
In the midst of their latest portion
Of misery the Nationals have made
several interesting but not staggering
discoveries, probably the most impor-
tant Of which Is the fact Peppery Zeke
Bonura is giving no impetus to the
forlorn hope he will emerge from q
prolonged slump. and that Jimmy
Wasdell Is no acceptable substitute.
Benura Swinging Futilely.
The Mats. still clinging desperately
to the first division by virtue OF
fourth-place tie with the Tigers, now
are beginning to realize Bonura's
slump has gnawed large chunks Of
their possibilities. It is an accepted
baseball axiom that recognized swat
ters Of Bonura's pattern snap out of
their slump with a rush, continue to
click and finally wind up with re-
spectacle batting figure. but Zeke ap-
parently Is slated to be the exception.
Bonura. in fact. still looks decidedly
pitiful At the plate. In his last eight
trips up there the amiable Italian has
dribbled or popped to the infield seven
times, only once poking the ball far
enough for an outfielder to snatch.
Bonura's hitting was his ticket to
the major leagues. Without it he rep
resents no bargain at first base. but
until the youthful Wasdell reveals he
is better risk, Manager Bucky Harris
doubtless will continue his present
policy of employing Bonura even
against right-handers. At least he
represents a threat.
Wasdell, who rejoined the club IS
they launched this trip in Cleveland,
has been no failure, nor, by the same
token, has he been q huge success.
His importation from Indianapolis
was gamble to start, but he hasn't
justified keeping Bonura benched. He
hasn't provided SUFFICIENT improve
ment at the plate.
Simmons Tapers on.
Further woe to the increasing WASH
ington wailing is the sneaking sus-
picion aging AL Simmons is tapering
of after a sensational tour Of the West.
Simmons has gone hitless III his last
nine journeys to the plate, tanning
three times and once drilling into
double play.
Significant in the Mats loss of three
straight games has been the sorrowful
sag in the middle Of the lineup with
Buddy Lewis and Cecil Travis con-
tributing little larruping. Travis. who
was making gestures of leading the
American League hit parade, has con-
nected for only two singles in his last
dozen times at bat, while Lewis also
has been thwarted too frequently.
That continued feeble failing,
coupled with some sparkling hurting
by Spurgeon Chandler and the pro-
ductive swatting Of Elongated Bill
Dickey, dealt the Mats their third
straight loss here yesterday.
Dickey's two homers, driving in
seven runs. wrote the story Of the
game, with frankie Crosetti adding
another chapter in the sixth inning by
poking = home run into the left field
stands.
Harry Kelley, who allowed only one
run tn Fl innings, pitched = single to
Joe Di Maggie and double to Lou
Gehrig in the fourth and his impress
sive streak rudely was interrupted by
Dickey's 18th homer of the season.
The Yankee catcher duplicated that
performance In the next inning with
the bases loaded and that was the ball
game.