Evening star., 1940-06-11
Return Of Vets
West, Myer 10
Lineup Likely
Revision of InfieId
Also Looms; Browns
Aided by Errors
BY BURTON HAWKINS.

Dangling precariously close to the
American League cellar, the floun-
dering Nationals today faced the
seasons second severe shakeup, with
Manager Bucky Harris admittedly
pondering wholesale shifting in a
desperate attempt to insert effec-
tiveness into his tobogganing team.
You can bet your life" Bucky
was saying this morning. that
something's going to be done. Just
what don't know. I want to sleep
on it before making any changes,
but it's obvious we can't 60 on like
this"
The possibilities are numerous.
Ten days ago Harris instructed the
veteran Sammy West to get ready"
and the rumor he would replace
Johnny Welaj or George Case in
the outfield gained credence.
Then, too. there is a likelihood
Third Baseman Buddy Lewis will
be transferred back to the outfield,
with Shortstop Cecil Travis shifting
to third and Rookie Jimmy Pofahl
resuming operations at shortstop.
Myer May Replace Bloodworth.
Lewis has been more than a hop
skip and jump from being sensa-
tlonal at third since he was i'm
ported from the outfield a month
ago, while Travis, an acceptable
shortstop, hasn't approached the
brilliance he displayed when ham
ding third earlier in the campaign.
Prexy Clark Griffith has been in
timating Buddy Myer will inherit
the second base duties hitherto in
trusted to Jimmy Bloodworth, but
Harris has been clinging to the idea
Jlmmy's youth might aid the club
more than Buddy's experience.
Now, though. Bucky is ready to re-
wise his reasoning along one or more
lines.
There have been reports Jim Ver-
non may be recalled from Jersey
City to play first base, and although
Griffith promised the International
League club he wouldn't recall Jim
unless necessity dictated, there may
be an alteration at first base.
With a percentage margin of .008
separating them from the cellar
the seventh place Mats had some
assurance of swapping their losing
streak at three games today as
they clashed with St. Louis in the
second OF three-game set. The
insurance against dwelling in the
dungeon by nightfall was Pitcher
Dutch Leonard.
Mats Travel After Tomorrow.
Leonard, seeking his eighth VIC
tory OF the season. was to have be-
hind him team which has made
nine errors in its last three games,
the chief factor in its prospering
little losing streak Vernon Ken
nedy was slated to pitch for the
Browns.
Following tomorrow engagement
witty the Browns at Griffith Stadi-
um the Mats will entrain for De-
troit. opening there Friday. They
Will return home July l.
Errors mainly were responsible for
Sid Hudson absorbing his eighth
shellacking of the season yesterday,
the youthful right-hander hurting
creditably until the seventh, when
three hits and errors by Lewis and
First Baseman Zeke Bonura result
ed in five runs for St. Louis, which
had clipped Sid for two runs in
the first inning. Sid settled to al
low three scattered singles in the
next five innings.
Until the seventh the Mats had
been shackled by the four-hit pitch
ing of Jack Kramer. Then in a
belated burst they nibbled into the
Browns TO lead, collecting four
runs on six hits. Roxie Lawson
replaced Kramer and. after issuing
a double to Case and a walk to
Lewis, retired the next eight Mats
in order.