Evening star., 1944-05-29
BY JOHN b KELLER,
star staff Correxpondent


Star Staff Correspondent
DETROIT, May 29.-The bane of
the injury jinx. which al
ready had made much trouble for
the Mats, really has piled 1t on since
Os Bluege led his charges into this
town.
AS the Mats split a double header
with Detroit's Tigers yesterday, bag
ging the first game, to 2, then
taking q 15-to-2 spanking in the
second, two more players went back
on the badly hurt list. Joe Kuhel,
first baseman who only recently had
returned to the lineup after lay
OH due to q bruised side, came up
with q Charley-horsed left thigh.
George Myatt, second baseman who
had been told by q Cleveland sur
|geon to remain idle until frac-
tured finger healed, insisted on
playing and had the digit REIN
jured
Which means the Mats probably
will have a hodgepodge infield for
the remainder of this Western swing,
what with Gil Torres shifted from
third base to first, Hills Layne play
ing at second and Luis Suarez, ut
terly without real organized base
ball experience, filling in at third.
Sully Only Regular.
Johnny Sullivan, shortstop, who
has been playing sparkling de-
fensive game, will be the only in
field regular at his accustomed post.
In addition to their inf1eld woes,
the Mats also are on the spot so
far as their outfield is concerned.
Jake Powelps sprained foot isn't
responding to treatment as rapidly
as had been expected. He could
be sent into action in an emergency,
but certainly couldn't give a fair
account Of himself. And with Bob
Ortiz, instead of a sound Powell,
in the ine-up, the Mats garden de-
fense is weakened greatly.
Kuhels Charley horse got its start
in the opening part Of the double
bill with the Tigers. Joe said he
felt a twinge in the leg the first
time he was at bat. In the second
inning of the second set-to he slid
into second base In a force-play
and that was the finishing touch
He managed to take the field to
finish the inning, but the pain be-
came so intense he had to get out,
Mike Martin on Job.
| How long Kuhel will be inactive
Is uncertain. In some few in
stances Charley horses-pulled ten
dons in the thigh-heal quickly, but
those of the type of Kuhels often
keep a player out of the game fol
q week or two. Trainer Mike Martin
started treatment Immediately after
kuhel suffered the injury, however
and may have the first basemar
back on the job before long.
| One thing, though, Kuhel's return
won't be rushed. What happened te
Myatt will stop that. Irked by idle.
ness, Myatt virtually demanded te
be permitted to enter the line-ur
yesterday and Manager Bluege
against his better Judgment, HI
later admitted, restored the seconc
sacker to duty. All was well with
Myatt in the first, game, but whil,
participating in double play ir
the second he jammed the finger a.
he took q throw.
| Whether 1t Is broken again was tc
be determined by x.ray today OF
tomorrow, but even IL there is nc
further fracture Myatt this time
viii be kept out of all action other
than pinch-running until the digit
is fully healed.
/ Niggeling in Form.
John Niggeling did keen piece OF
pitching to overcome the Tigers
which was all very well because
after slapping the offerings OF
Stubby Overmire, left-hander, al
around the lot in the first three
innings they failed to get a hit of
Walter Boom BOOM Beck and Boz
Gillespie. right-handers, who fin.
iished.
/ Niggeling gave seven hits and two
passes. Twice the Tigers punched
two hits for score, although they
wouldn't have had their second but
for an error by Myatt. The Tiger.
made a hot bid to get back in the
game in the ninth when with two
singles they had two on with two
out, but an amazing catch by Star
Spence ended the tussle.
| Pinch-batter Paul Richard,
hoisted to short center what an
peared to be a sure hit. Had i
dropped safely, one run would hav,
counted and perhaps the tying tall,
might have gone over. But Spence
who had played very deep for tn.
usually long-hitting Richards, cam,