Evening star., 1942-06-29

. N&Na
Manager Bucky Harris, who could be-
excused for becoming weary of wait
ing.
| In his four years with the Mats,
Masterson has scored IL victories.
Over that span he has lost % games,
which comprises rather creaky,
unenviable record, but sandWiched
among his dismal performances
have been some remarkable efforts
that prompt the Mats bosses to
cling to him in the fond hope he'll
develop.
Masterson three weeks ago un-
raveled brilliant pitching Job,
dealing the Tigers an 30 whipping
on four hits, but apparently it was
his annual contribution. In his
next start the White Sox clipped
him for six runs in the first in
ming, and when he mustered enough
courage to try again Detroit nailed
him for five runs in the opening
inning.
Nat Rally Saves Masterson.
To MaSterSOn went the credit for
the Mats nightcap triumph yester-
day at st. Louis as Washington reg
istered its first double header sweep
of the season by the football figures
of l4-l3 and rs, but MaSterson
was no sensation. He left the game
with 5-4 deficit at the end of the
seventh. but the Mats manufactured
a two-run rally to present him one
of his infrequent wins.
The roller-coaSter chart of Mas
terson's pitching is nothing new.
When he reported to the Mats from
Philadelphia's semipro ranks it was
with the stipulation that he wouldn't
be farmed out. He was rated prom
ising enough for that request to be
honored, but he since has shown
only sporadic flashes of his early
efficiency.
! 1t has been customary for Mas
/ terson to pitch one or two sensa-
/ tional games year. much in the
manner of Ken Chase and Joe
Krakauskas, who hung with the
Mats for several seasons through
the same medium. It's a long time
between triumphs. but the Mats are
willing to gamble that some day
Walter will become more consistent.
Keeps Job With Strong Arm.
Il can't figure this fellow" says
Harris. He pitched a really fine
game against the Tigers three weeks
ago. but five days later he started
again and he had changed his style
completely. 1t would seem to me
that he could retain form for a
| few days, but he doesn't"
| MaSterSon owns strong, au-
thoritative arm-one of the reasons
he has been tolerated. If ever he
locates the groove and remains ef-
fective he is calculated to linger
a few years. Now only %, he repre-
sents no expensive investment, but
the wear and tear on Harris nerves
is terrific.
Walter has made little, If any,
progress in his four years with
Washington. He was wild in 1899
and 1912 he still is showing no sign
of mastering control. The odds on
his becoming good pitcher are
lengthening, but preXy Clark Griffith
still has hopes of cashing that long
shot bet.
Harris is willing to believe any,
thing can happen after watching
his athletes maui the Browns yes
terday. In that weird first game,
the Mats came up with a six-run
second inning, but by the end of
the third inning Jack Wilson and
Bill Zuber had pitched the Mats
into a 9-6 deficit.
Estalella's Homer Big Help.
Bobby Estalella produced a 3-run
homer in the fourth to lock the score
at go and singles by Johnny Sui
livan, Zuber and Mickey Vernon,
plus Stan Spence's double, boosted
Washington into 1873 lead in the
fifth. zuber's double fetched two
more runs in the sixth before the
Browns belted him for two runs in
their half of the sixth and two more
in the eighth.
The Browns outhit the Mats. 10
to 16, in the opener, but the only
Nat who didn't score was Relief
Pitcher Alexandra Carrasquel, who
never batted.
In the second game, Washington
snatched Al lead of Steve Sundra
with a four-run outburst in the
fourth inning, but the Browns nicked
MasterSon for a run in the sixth
and two more in the seventh as
Chet Laabs homered, Glenn Nc
CULLEN trt lied and Vernon Stephens
doubled. The Mats came up with two