Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-10
LEONARD MARVEL
ON HILL IN CLIMB
Browns Narrowly Escape
Shutout as KnuckIer
Scores Third Win.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN.

How long they are to enjoy the
pleasantries connected with occupying
first place in the American League is
something the Senators are not pre-.
pared to answer, but today they we
in front Of the pack and it's up to the
other clubs to catch them.
The Griffmen today moved into
their final game with the Browns while
clutching a six-game winning streak.
which also is worthy of note. WASH
ington ball clubs of the last four sea-
sons were not prone to win as many
as six games in row. They have
dropped as many as eight straight in
the last two years, but by adding a
victory today and sweeping the three
game set with the Browns, the 1898
Senators can set win record for re-
cent campaigns. Not since 1888, when
they won the pennant, have the Mats
taken seven straight.
1t was quite appropriate that Emil
(Dutch) Leonard pitch the Griffs irfo
the league lead yesterday While Leon
ard was winning, Z to l. the Cleveland
Indians were driven out Of first place
by the Red Sox and the Yankees were
forced to remain idle due to rain. Had
Manager Bucky Harris been able to
direct the turn of events he could not
have improved on yesterdays develop
ments.
That Mans Here Again.
Much has been written and much
has been said recently about this fell
low Leonard, but he keeps making
news. BY the narrowest Of margins
he missed pitching his third shutoN
in three weeks yesterday. The Browns
hoped on him for run in the first
inning, smashing his string Of 10 con-
secutive scoreless innings, but after
Dutch squared away it was a breeze
for the heavy-set knuckle- baller from
Atlanta. He allowed only seven hits
to the best-hitting team in the league
last year, and in the last six frames
he gave up only two hits, one Of which
did not reach the outfield.
Leonard's record seems to becoH
more impressive every time he goes j
the post. He now has pitched five
times, winning three. In his trio Of
victories he was forced to work 81
innings against the Athletics, Indians
and Browns. Over this stretch he
gave up only one run. That's high
class pitching in any league.
AS matter of fact Leonard was no
puzzle only once. That was against
the Red Sox in his second start. They
got him for six runs and eight hits
in eight innings.
Earned-Run Mark Is 1.40. -
Dutch should never have lost to tho
Yankees, however. He worked six fine
innings before he was lifted for a
pinch-hitter, giving up no earned runs.
Poor support helped the Yanks to q
80 lead. though, and Washington
never overcame it.
It is interesting to note that in his
last % innings Leonard has given up
only three bases on balls while throw
ing the hardest pitch in baseball to
control-a knuckle ball. His earned
run average, too. is something to
make you sit up and take notice. In
As innings he has given up only seven
earned runs for an average of lao
per game. With this kind of record
it is difficult to see how Leonard could
be charged with two defeats, but that's
baseball for you
For the most part statistics make
for dry reading but the Nat pitching
figures are worthy Of brief oonsidera-
ton. at least. The Washington sAb
staff is supposed to be the Achilles
heel Of the club, but listen:
In their 81 games, Of which Nhe
(See STAN, Page A-l9D