Evening star., 1944-05-11
Mats Hurting Haefner
AT Browns, Victims
OF Cubans' Attack
By JOHN B. KELLER.

| Closing in on the league leader!
after six victories in their last eight
games, the Mats will strive for &
second successive success over tht
st. Louis Browns tonight at Griffith
Stadium with just about the best
they have in the pitching line-tht
left-handed knuckleballing Mickey
Haefner. In 18 innings of toll thi;
season, Mickey has yielded just two
earned runs, and promises to give
the loops pace-setters a hot argu.
ment.
To make it stirring tussle, Man
ager Luke Sewell of the invading
forces will counter with his prize
find, Jack Kramer, right-hander who
has yet to taste defeat.
The Mats are hoping their Latir
American contingent continues the
smashing attack that routed the
Browns last night in the inaugura
lof Washington's long night-play
season to the delight of 1876 Gus.
toners. Then a soaring homer
rif1ed into the left field open stanc
by Roberto Ortiz and timely singles
by Gilberto Torres and Mike Guerra
helped upset the visitors, to l.
Niggeling Stingy With Hits.
While the Mats were moving
along to victory, Johnny Niggeling
veteran knuckler, gave a good ac-
count of himself against the
Browns. He restricted them to five
safeties and two bases on balls and
IN only two rounds did as many as
two of the visitors get on the run
way.
The first Of these occasions came
in the second when a pass to Ver-
non Stephens and a triple by Gene
Moore, former Nat, before anybody
was out got the Browns their lone
run. Then a double-play checked
the Browns and another two-way
killing stopped them in the seventh
after the same batters singled sue
cessively with one out.
Nelson Potter was the victim of
the Latin American attack, giving
up eight hits and four walks. al
though the Mats got two more blows
of Norman Shirley, who took over
with two out in the sixth and went
on through the seventh. Of Sig
Jakucki in the eighth only a pass
was cleaned.
Ortiz's homer in the fourth
brought the Mats up to even terms
with the Browns, then all was quiet
until the sixth. when the visitors
were showed aside. 1t was here that
Guerra, who had crashed the game
when Catcher Rick Ferrell had his
right thumb torn by a knuckle-
ball in the second, broke the tie.
Guerra Sends Mats Ahead.
Ortiz walked as a starter and Joe
Kuhel drew a pass after Stan
Spence struck out. Torres single
to right filled the sacks, then Guer-
ra ripped a single to left to send
over two runs and put Torres on
third. On the throw to the plate
that missed Kuhel, Guerra reached
second base.
Johnny Sullivan was given an
intentional base-filling pass and
Torres was forced out at the plate
when Niggeling bounded to the
shortstop. But Jake Powell singled
through the box to push across two
more runs and send Potter to the
shower.
1t was a rough night on the
catchers. Ferrell had his right
thumb torn near the nail when hit
by the fourth ball pitched to
Stephens in the second session and
had to retire. He will be out sew
eral days. In the fourth Frank
Mancuso, the Browns sparkling
young catcher, ran into the grand
stand barrier while trying to get
Sullivan's foul and was severely
shaken, although he continued in
the game.
Prior to the game George Nc
Quinn, Browns star first-sacker
who resides in Arlington County.
was presented with a War Bond bv
his associates in the theatrical
business in Falls Church, Va. Then
George proceeded to go hitless for
the night.
Spence's Throw Stops Browns.
1t was a fine throw by Spence
after catching Kreevich's hoist that
doubled Moore at the plate in the
second to snuff the Browns best
bid for the game. Guerra got the
runner we'll in front of the plate.
Myatt ran his consecutive game
hitting streak to 10 games with a
tWo-bagger the first time up. He
has made 19 hits for an average of
1888 during the streak
OrtlZ's home run went over the
bleacher barrier about $50 feet from
home plate. 1t was not only his first
OF the year, but also his first as a
major Lacquer.
Johnny Sullivan had a restful
evening at shortstop. He didn't
have chance against the Browns.
Johnny said it was only his third
time in baseball that he had gone
without a play coming his way.
WiIIiumsport Tied for Top
Williamsport, back in the Eastern
League after one-year absence, is
tied for the loop today after 9-to-2
victory over Scranton.