Evening star., 1947-04-18
W-Found Strength
On Mound, al Short
Could Test Yanks
By Burton Howkins

kuc NaIS CUulQ DC EXCUSED 1Ol
being In a glum mood today as they
prepared to battle the New York
Yankees at Griffth Stadium In the
lpresence OF President Truman and
a throng Of $4,000, but despite q
brace Of beatings at Boston they
aren't kicking infants or snarling
at nice old ladies. They're adopt
ing an optimistic attitude and II
doesn't necessarily make them can
didates for straitjackets.
Out Of those two spankings by the
Red Sox, Ossie Bluege can muster
some consolation, for at Boston the
Mats liked the steady fielding Of
Shortstop Mark Christman and the
superb relief pitching Of burly Tom
Ferrick and towering Walter Mas
terson.
Distressing to Bluege, however,
were the ineffective pitching dis
lplays Of Early Wynn and Mickey
Haefner, his starters against the
Red Sox, but Ossie prefers to dwell
on the more comforting perform
|ances Of Christmas, Ferrick and
Masterson. Wynn and Haefner will
strike their stride, so I'm not worried
about them" says Ossie.
Fcrrick Strong in Pinch.
"I'd say we've come up with a fine
relief pitcher In Ferrick. I can
shove him into game In a hurry
and he seems certain to give us q
good job. We didn't have that sort
Of relief pitcher around last year
and it hurt us. This season, with
Ferrick around, we should be
tougher
IT can't help being enthused, too,
about Masterson. Last year, re-
member. he had his roughest times
at Fenway Park. The fact that he
stepped in against the Red Sox there
yesterday and blanked them for a
couple Of innings should have raised
his confidence. Boston murdered
him last year, SO 1t was gratifying
to see him of to good start against
a club that usually mauls him.
"Christman seems to be what we
need at shortstop," continued Bluege.
Hes dependable and he'll come
through with some hits at timely
moments. He hasn't had much luck
with his hitting so far, but he's
meeting the ball well and they'll
start dropping safe for him soon."
Christman handled II chances
flawlessly against the Red Sox, ac-
cepting II chances yesterday as the
Mats dropped Al decision before
12,779 fans. He figured in three
double plays and generally con-
Quoted himself smoothly.
Masterson Curbs Bosox Jinx.
The ponderous Ferrick, who sup
planted Mickey Haefner in the third
inning after the Red Sox had
pounded the little left-hander for
six hits and all their runs, chuckegf
four masterful innings. He per-
mitted only. two hits and had the
Red Sox beating the ball into the
ground.
Masterson's pitching particularly
was pleasing, because he hoisted
HIMSELF OUT OF dangerous situations.
In both innings he hurled, the first
batter opened with single, but on
both occasions Walter averted trou-
BILE by forcing Bobby Doerr and
Sam Mele to ground into double
plays.
Meanwhile, the Mats were get
ting nowhere against Joe Dobson,
who scattered eight singles. They
clipped him for their only run In
the third inning, when AL Evans
singled Off the short left-field
fence, moved to second as Pinch
hitter George Myatt walked and
scored on Buddy Lewis sharp single
to left after Joe Grace flied out.
Boston previously had inflicted
too much damage on Haefner,
though. Ed Pellagrini's double and
Doerr's single fashioned a run in
the first inning and they nailed
Mickey for three more in the Sec
ond as Roy Partee, Pellagrini and
Johnny Pesky singled and Dom Di
Maggie doubled.