Evening star., 1940-07-29
Job Permanent
For Versatile
Performer
Evans Captures Fancy
Of Pilot at Buckstop
In Split With Tribe
BY BURTON HAWKINS
Star Staff Correspondent.

ST. LOUIS, Mo, July 29.-Stocky
cocKy Jimmy Bloodworth, hitherto
identified as second baseman
third baseman and outfelder in his
brief employment with the Mats,
today had become No. 4 in a series
of 1910 Washington first basemen.
And in the opinion of Manager
Bucky Harris he's the best of the
crop.
Jimmy henceforth is Washing
tons regular first baseman, replac-
ing the veteran Sammy West, until
such time as Mickey Vernon takes
over. He made his major league
debut at that post yesterday at
Cleveland in the nightcap of a
double-header and figured promi-
nently in the Mats 9-l victory after
the Indians had captured the
opener, 6-3.
"BloodWorth gave us the best first
basing we've had this season." says
Bucky, "and he's going to stay
there. He's a better defensive first
baseman than West and he's likely
to give us more punch at the plate" "
Playing first base is no novelty
to Bloodworth. who served a six
week stretch at that position with
Chattanooga and who was en-
ployed there sporadically in his
minor league career. He displayed
no signs of rust in handling the
assignment against the Indians,
and, in fact, contributed fielding and
throwing gems.
Jimmy was tested in the first in
ming of that second game when Ben
Chapman, perched on third, broke
for the plate on Lou Boudreau's siz-
zling grounder. Bloodworth scooped
up the ball in snappy style and
whipped knee-high peg to Catcher
AL Evans to nip Chapman sliding.
Hudson Sparkles in Nightcap.
He made such an impression that
Harris handed him the job with his
blessings. He'll play first tomorrow
night when the Mats launch their
two-game series with the Browns
under the lights. with West con-
fined to the bench.
First base duties are welcome to
Bloodworth, who virtually had been
ousted from his second-base spot
by craving Buddy Myer. With
Myer swatting at a .34l chip Harris
isn't inclined to yank him, and by
placing Bloodworth on first he can
utilize Buddy's frequent hits and
Jimmy's occasional power humping
Dutch Leonard, who has captured
only one of his last six starts, will
pitch against the Browns tomor-
row night. with Ken Chase slated
to work Wednesday. Chase has
been somewhat of sensation on
this journey, spanking both the
Tigers and Indians on seven hits.
Sid Hudson snapped back to WIN
ming form against the Indians in
the second game yesterday, check
ing Cleveland with six scattered hits
and yielding the only run scored
against him only after the Mats
had compiled a prohibitive 80 lead
1t was Sids ninth win.
The Mats pounced on Al Smith
for three runs in the first inning
and produced four more runs In
the third off Mel Harder and Joe
Dobson. Jimmy Pofahl's triple and
Vvans' outfield fly increased Wash
ington's advantage to 80 in the
fifth and the Mats added another
in the ninth on Cecil Travis double
and Evans single.
Evans Impresses Bucky.
Evans, incidentally, is likely to
see more service in the immediate
future. Harris was enthused over
his handling of Hudson and the
rugged youngster may move in
ahead OF Jake Early as Washing
tons No. 2 catcher.
Al contributed two singles to
Washington's 15-hit attack in the
nightcap, with Buddy Lewis, Johnny
Welaj, Travis, Bloodworth and
Myer also collecting a brace OF
safeties. Travis smashed two dou-
bles, while Myer blasted a double
and triple.
Welaj was in that game because
Gerald Walker requested Harris to
insert him in his left-feld spot
Gosh. I was terrible in the first
game" confesses Gee, land I figured
Welaj might do the club more good
than I could. I just couldn't dc
anything right"
Walker wasn't exactly sensation
in the first game. He travelled tc
the plate five times without obtain.
ing hit, flying out with the bases
loaded to end the game.
The Mats spurted into 20 lead
in the opener, but Cleveland ham.
mered Walter Masterson for foul
runs in the third inning anc
smashed Alexandra Carrasouel fol
two more in the fifth. WI the
! Indians were gathering IS hits, A