Evening star., 1944-07-06
Torres, Ace in Defeat
OF White Sox, Will
Be Utility Man .
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

/ Harlond Gift. the veteran third
baseman the Mats have been looking
for since shortly after the baseball
season got under way, will don a
Washington uniform and take his
place in the lineup when the Phila-
delphia Athletics are encountered
next week in Grif1ith Stadium.
That is the way Manager Os
Bluege planned after hearing that
Gift was due by plane In Chicago
some time today.
Whether Cliff will proceed from
Chicago Immediately by plane or
wait for train connection that would
delay his arrival here until late to-
morrow or early Saturday is uncer-
tain, but positive word that he is on
the way at last is something to cheer
the Mats.
A brief telegram to Clark GrifIith,
president Of the Mats, informing
him the player was en- route waS,the
first message received from Cliff
since he wired the club two weeks
ago he was arranging to leave his
cattle ranch near Selah, Wash, for
the Capital.
The message came last night
while the Mats were in the process
of turning back Chicago's White Sox,
3 to l. thereby assuring themselves
an even break at least in the four
game series that ends tonight.
Will Start Against AS.
According to Bluege, Cliff should
be in physical trim to play, although
he probably will require a few
batting drills to get his swing prop
erly timed. After the series with
the st. Louis Browns, starting to-
morrow and ending Sunday, the Mats
will have four-day recess due to
the All-Star game in Pittsburgh and
these four days, Bluege feels. should
fit Cliff for the series with the AS,
the last Of the Mats current home
stand.
Bluege intends to send Cliff into
action as the regular third baseman,
post that has been filled quite
capably by Gil Torres. Cliff, with
nearly 10 years Of big-league ex-
perience behind him before his
transfer from the Browns to the
Mats last August. not only is ex-
pected to bolster the Mats defense,
but also to contribute greatly to
their attack.
He has a big-league career bat
ting average Of PIT and his hitting
has been marked by many extra
base blows. Cliff has a strong arm
and perhaps Is faster on his feet
than Torres.
When the Mats acquired Cliff
last year it was thought their third
base problem, that had been trouble
some for some time, was solved
But he developed mumps shortly
after his transfer and played only
few games in Washington uniform.
Torres Trips White Sox.
Well again last spring, he was
due to report at the College Park
training camp, but informed the
club he believed he was close to
being drafted for military service
and would remain on his ranch
Changes in draft provisions kept
the player out of the armed forces,
but the War Manpower code COM
PEELED him to stick close to his
ranching business. Only recently
was he able to clear his way to re-
joining the Mats.
With Cliff In the lineup, Torres,
one of. the most versatile players
in the big leagues, will be reserved
for utility purposes and relief
pitching, Bluege said.
It was Torres last night who
blazed the way to the run that sent
the Mats ahead of the. White Sox
He opened the seventh inning with
a double off Bill Dietrich, was sacri-
feed to third and after the second
out counted when Dutch Leonard
was safe at first through Second
Baseman Roy Schalk's wide throw.
The Mats, who made eight hits off
Dietrich, had Tailed in the first
when George Myatt walked and
advanced on Joe Kuhel's single and
Jake Powells smash into q double
play. The White Sox, limited to five
hits by Leonard, matched this run
in the second with a pass to Guy
Outright and singles by Guy Turner
and Jimmy Webb.
Mats Get Unneeded Tally.
A run they didn't need was
marked up by the Mats in the eighth
with Kuhel's third hit, a single;
sacrifice by Powell and Torres
single.
Victory elevated the Mats to fifth
place. which they will endeavor to
protect tonight with Mickey Haefner
on the hill Orvai Grove is to hurl
for the White Sox.
Therell be no operation on George
Cases left shoulder according to
the club surgeon. Time alone is
needed to heal the hurt resulting
from the dislocation suffered last
Sunday. Three weeks probably will
be necessary. Cases shoulder all
ment is chronic, but much more
painful than serious.
n Ysa1 -