Evening star., 1940-08-11
Griffs Shut Out
By Red Sox in
Freak Game
Rally Often in 80
Loss; Foe HitIess
In Last 6 Innings
BY BURTON HAWKINS.

ny bOhlON hAWhlNS.
Casually experimenting with the
emotions of some 5000 customers,
the Mats executed many motions
connected with winning a baseball
game yesterday at Griffith Stadium,
but succeeded only in absorbing a
singular 80 shellacking from the
Boston Red Sox.
The Nationals were making
threatening gestures as late as the
ninth inning but by that time the
patrons were somewhat immune to
Washingtons belated bid, having
viewed such efforts squelched re-
peatedly during the afternoon.
Virtually every inning the Mats
were giving indications they would
spoil the shut-out pitching of
youthful Earl Johnson, left
handler frantically summoned from
Rocky Mount of the Piedmont
League only three weeks ago. But
just as frequently as Washington
put men on bases Mr.. johnson
applied considerable pressure, with
the result II Mats were stranded.
Boston had nicked Ken Chase,
bidding for his fifth straight tri-
umph, for three unearned runs in
the third inning, an error by the
usually reliable Third Baseman
Cecil Travis helping the enemy
cause.
Finney's Hit Scores Two.
Chase whisked third strike past
Dominic Di Maggie to open the
inning, but Doc Cramer was safe
when Travis throw pulled Jimmy
Bloodworth off first base. The
situation appeared rosy when Joe
Cronin popped to Bloodworth, but
Jimmy Foxx walked and trouble
followed in a double dose.
Jim Tabor dropped a luck-an-
nolnted double in short right field.
scoring Cramer and sending Fox to
third and Lou Finney blasted sharp
single to right, scoring Foxx and
Tabor.
The Red Sox, who had collected
five hits off Chase in the first three
innings, were stynied from that
point hence. for Chase and Walter
Masterson didn't yield q hit in the
last six innings. Chase retired 10
Red Sox in order before being lifted
for a pinch-hitter and being re-
placed on the mound in the eighth
by the bespectacled Masterson.
Washington was unable to cap
italize on that brilliant brand of
pitching, through, for Johnson, serv-
ing his first year in organized base.
ball, was a tough article when he
had to be.
Other Rallies Squelched.
The Mats made mild scoring mo-
ton in the third WHEN Jimmy Po-
fahl and Chase surrounded Rick
Ferreu's out with singles, put George
Case forced Chase at second and
Buddy Lewis grounded out to ter
inmate that threat to Boston's lead.
Again in the fifth the Mats placed
two men on base with one out. Buddy
Myer led off with a single to left
and scooted to second as Cramer
fumbled the ball. Pofahl famed,
but Ferrell walked. Chase then
flied to Di Maggie and Case forced
Ferreu at second.
Events in the seventh particularly
were distressing, for in that inning
the Mats succeeded in cralnning the
bases with nobody out. Boston then
frustrated Washington's best often
sive effort of the day.
Myer beat out a slow roller to
Cronin and moved to second as
Pofahl slashed a single off Tabor's
glove. Ferrell coaxed walk out of
johnson to fill the bases and Johnny
Welaj was sent to the plate for
Chase.
Cramer Pegs Out Myer.
Welaj lifted a fly to Cramer in
short left field and when Myer at
tempted to score after the catch he
was out from here to the dining
room on Cramer's accurate peg.
Case then popped to Second Base
man Bobby Doerr to end it.
Again in the eighth the Mats
seemed ready to rise. Lewis
launched the inning with single
to right and Gerald Walker strolled
but Travis drilled into a double
play, Lewis taking third, and Blood
worth was retired on an infield tap.
Another flicker of hope sifted
through the crowd in the ninth
when Pofahl walked after Myer
had flied out, causing Cronin to
call Jack Wilson from the bullpen
to relieve johnson. Ferrell greeted
Wilson with single to right, Pof-
ahl stopping at second.
Jake Early batted for Masterson
and flied to the pesky Di Maggie
and Case ended the game in the
same manner.
All of Washingtons nine hits,
eight of which were obtained of
johnson, were singles.
Tabor was the only Red Sox to
reach base in the last five innings,
being walked by Masterson in the
eighth.