Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-04-23
Crippled Club on Top,
Finos vaunted Bosox
As Easy as Mats
By Jock Hand
Assoeio,ed Press SPORTS Writer

Casey SLengel new 1Ork all
KEGS, unbeaten in four starts. are
the surprise team of the majors in
the first week of the season.
When the crippled ''Bombers
polished of Washington in three
straight, the critics said wait un-
til they start playing the big
leaguers. Yesterday they took
the Boston Red Sox, So Maybe
it's time to take them seriously.
Nobody gave the Yanks much of
a chance at the pennant, even be-
fore Joe Di Maggio's heel started
acting UP. When Di Mag was
hospitalized and lost for an in
definite period. the club was
doomed to the second division. But
it is leading its league.
Pitching is the Yankee strength.
That has been Stengel's claim all
along. Ed Lopat, Vic Raschi and
Tommy Byrne went all the way.
Allie Reynolds got no-hit relief
help from Joe Page in the last
three innings yesterday.
Now it's Fred Sanfords turn.
After the 500, 900 pitcher gets his
shot, Casey can return to Lopat.
It's an impressive starting array
event without the injured Bob
Porterfield.
Hughson No Puzzle to Yanks.
Tex Hughson failed his first
test for Joe Mccarthy. Much of
the Sox's pennant hopes hinge on
Hughson's ability to come back
after last years arm trouble.
Hughson walked six Yankees
and was raped for five hits in
six innings. although he wasn't
charged with the loss. That went
to Earl Johnson. who was respon-
sible for three New York runs in
the seventh.
The largest opening day crowd
in Fenway Park history. 1896.
saw the loosely played game.
Cleveland drew 63,725. best of
the second openers" The Indians
won the World Series at Braves
Field in Boston last October and
hadn't been home since.
Gene Bearden, the knuckle ball
artist who was the hero of the
Tribes playoff win over the Red
Sox and World Series triumph,
went the distance to trim Detroit,
-4-3 in 10 innings. 1t took a single
by Mickey Vernon, transfer from
the Washington Mats, celebrating
his 3lst birthday anniversary, to
score Larry Dolby with the win
ming run.
Chisox Rally Beats Browns.
The Chicago White Sox staged
a four-run rally in the fourth
inning to down the st. Louis
Browns, So. Rookie Gus Zernials
homer touched off the Sox up
rising against Red Embree and
Tom Ferrick.
Ralph Kiner started his cam
'paign' for the home, run title by
blasting one with the bases loaded
in Pittsburgh's 5-4 victory over
Cincinnati. Kiner's wallop and a
triple +hy Clyde Mccullough helped
the Pirates come from behind be-
fore S32.l67 opening day fans.
AL Brazle set down the Chicago
Cubs with four hits as the st.
Louis Cardinals broke into the win
column for the first time. 80. A
crowd of 1921 in Sportsman's
Park saw the Cards cut loose with
their power. Stan Musial hit his
first homer, Marty Marion un-
loaded a three-run double and
Red Schoendienst came through
with three hits in pinning loss
No. on Johnny Schmitz.
Rain and darkness forced the
umpires to call the New York
Giants-B Boston Braves game at the
end of nine innings with the score
tied. SIS. The Giants gave the
"a, 1921 customers a thrill by loading
the bases with one out in the last
of the ninth. Bobby Thomson
was nipped at the plate. trying to
steal home, and Nels Potter struck
out Dave Koslo.