Evening star., 1946-04-10
.Coan, Other Southpaw
Batters Suffer, but
Game Is Won, AZ
BY Burton Howkins
Stor StofT Correspondent

COLUMBIA, S. c., April 10-Get-
ting a rough break as the Mats
gained ground on their homeward
journey, is Gil Coan, rookie out
fielder. He is receiving no oppor-
tunity to display his talent, princi-
pally because Manager Ben Chap
man of the Phillies Is starting left
handed pitchers exclusively against
Washington. Chapman has started
four successive southpaws against
the Mats top-heavy left-handed hit
ting team and he declares Washing
ton will view nothing except left
handed starters in the remaining
three Nats-Phillies exhibitions. This
totals to big batch of Illustration
for the southside-sWinging Coan.
Plagued first by blistered feet and
later by bad case of athletes foot,
Coan finally recovered only to find
he has been stymied by Chapman's
refusal to pitch right-handerS
against the Mats.
A .372 hitter with Chattanooga last
season, Coan hasn't been able to
show Manager Ossie Bluege why he
was named the most valuable of
players in the Minors.
Chapman is planning on to en-
ploy four left-handed starters this
season in an effort to combat the
National Leagues top hitters, which
he points out mainly are left
handed. Chapman merely is given
the Mats a pre-view of what to ex-
pect in the American League.
Sanford Hits 2-Run Homer.
Bluege has attempted to juggle
his lineup to obtain right-handed
strength, placing Ray Goolsby in
left field and jack Sanford at first
base. But the Mats still are dis
playing no great attack. Sanford S
flrst-lnning home run with Buddy
Lewis on base was the big blow yes
terday as the Mats registered a Az
victory over the Phillies at Charles
ton, but Washington obtained only
three hits following a feeble four
hit exhibition at Savannah Monday.
Southpaw pitching definitely is
stopping Washington.
Bluege is forced to play Sanford
at first base against left-handed
pitching and if Goolsby snaps out
OF his tWo-day slump and belts left
handed pitching he may find him.
self playing left field instead of jeff
Heath when the Mats tangle with
southpaws.
Bluege is annoyed at the nom
appearance of Infielder Gil Torres,
who returned to his Havana home
last week. He's reported as on his
way to reJoin the team. His right
handed hitting would be welcome.
Scarborough Is Effective.
Ray Scarborough, making bid
for starting job at least until Sid
Hudson feels up to travelling nine
innings. yielded only five hits in
the six innings he labored yesterday
and left the premises with a 80
lead. Jim Tabor's third inning
home run with Jimmy Wasdell on
base as the result of walk was the
only damaging blow off Ray, who
famed four.
With two out, the Mats produced
run in the third when Stan
Spence sandwiched a single between
walks to Lewis and Sanford. Cecil
Travis forced Lewis across when he
was clipped on the arm by a pitched
ball, but Gerry Priddy forced Travis
at second. The Mats gained their
fourth run in the seventh when
Tabor permitted Goolsby's hot
grounder to escape him for a two
base error. George Binks, who re-
placed Lewis in right, fetched Gools-
by home with a double to right.
The Mats and Phillies were to
collide here today and will meet at
Charlotte, N. c., tomorrow and at
Richmond, Va, Friday.
Saturday the Mats will face Balti-
more at Griffith Stadium in their
only Washington appearance before
the opening game Of the season
against the Red Sox next Tuesday.