Evening star., 1946-05-29
Dutch Is Impressive
|nlicking Yanksfor
His Fifth Straight
BY Burton Hawkins
Stor Stof4 Correspondent

NEW YORK, May 29.-Dutch
Leonard, who was leading a charmed
existence in accumulating his first
four victories of the season, has
presented ample evidence he now
has more than a load of luck to
offer the Mats in their struggle for
serious consideration as a pennant
possibility.
In achieving his fifth successive
triumph without defeat here last
night before 1895 customers, a
2-1 win over New York which lifted
the Mats within half game of the
second place Yankees, Leonard dem
onstrated he no longer merely is
effective against Detroit, Chicago
and Philadelphia, at whose expense
he compiled IA of his II wins last
year.
Joe Mccarthy, recently retired
manager of the Yankees, once said
of Leonard when asked If he were
interested in dealing for him, why
should we want him? He keeps us
on top. We can beat him every
time and if we don't whip him he'll
beat himself OF, a passed ball with
those knucklers." McCarthy's sue
cesor, Bill Dickey, isn't sharing
those sentiments.
Leonard was spanking the YAM
KEGS for the second time this season,
having previously travelled six in
nings against them before pulling a
leg muscle and, against the Mats
portly knuckle-ball specialist New
York can show only one run and
eight hits in IS innings.
Dutch Finally Convincing.
Dutch also has defeated Cleveland,
Detroit and Chicago, which would
illustrate he won't be confining his
winning manner to three clubs al
most exclusively. Not until last
night, however, were the Mats con-
vinced that Leonard is prepared to
help them. He showed 'em-the hard
way-that his success henceforth
may be attributed to more than
four leaf clovers.
Dutch was on to a shaky start
when the Yankees George Stirn-
weiss doubled and Joe Di Maggie
and Nick Etten singled in the first
inning to muster their only run.
Thereafter Leonard was one of the
untouchables, permitting only three
more hits in the final eight innings.
Leonard's hitting won his game
for him. After the Mats had locked
the score against Cuddles Marshall
in the second inning when Mickey
Vernon walked and jeff Heath doub-
led to center, it was Leonard who
inserted the game winning single
in the fourth.
With one out, Cevil Travis and
Jerry Priddy singled successfully
and after AL Evans forced Priddy
Leonard lashed a single to center,
scoring Travis with what proved to
be the deciding run.
Leonard Tough in Pinches.
Leonard walked only two and was
a Stingy soul with men on base.
Four times in the final eight innings
the Yankees moved the potential
tying run as far as second base, but
on each occasion Dutch was superb.
In the ninth inning with two out
Dickey singled to right, but Dutch
disposed of pin h hitter Bill
Drescher, who forced Steve Sou
chock, running for Dickey.
1t was a triumph which erased
considerable skepticism concerning
Leonard and doomed his value in
the opinion of his mates. 1t was
his most impressive performance of
the season and extended the Mats
winning streak to four games
Washington has won II of its last
Is games and hoped to move into
second place today at the Yankees
expense.
The only mournful note in the
proceedings was the expiration of
Vernon's hitting streak at % games.
Marshall and Jake Wade halted
Mickey, who walked once, hit into
a force play and flied out twice.
Mickey Haefner was Manager Os-
sic Bluege's choice to face the YAM
KEGS here today, with Red Rufhng
slated to pitch for New York. The
Mats will battle the Red Sox in a
double header at Boston tomorrow.
Last nights crowd, which wit
messed the first night game at
Yankee stadium, was below expec-
tations due to chilly, threatening
weather, but boosted the Yankees
home attendance to 636,397.