Evening star., 1950-08-05
Griffmen Out Of Race,
But Turnstiles Click
As They Play Leaders
By Burton Hawkins
Star Stoff CORRESPONDENT

OE E1RO11, Aug. 0.-1ne NaCS.
trotting on treadmill in fifth
place, are discovering that it pays
dividends to associate with the
p ennant contenders. They're
cashing in on the tense battle be-
tween Detroit, New York and
Cleveland.
Detroit'S feverish fans are turn
ing out to see the Tigers and the
Mats got in on the gravy last
night when they defeated Detroit.
So. Some 1859 customers at
tended despite chilly. threatening
weather. They saw Washington
win it's sixth decision in seven
games here.
In their last three games-two
at Cleveland and one here-the
Mats have played before average
crowds of 26,250 and Detroit off,
cials predict that $4,000 fans
would pour through the turnstiles
today and tomorrow when the
Mats and Tigers clash again.
Better Than at Home.
The Mats have averaged nearly
1000 customers game on the
road, playing to 557,885 in 81
games. That's slightly better
than they are drawing at home
and will help when Clark Griffith
gets around to next years salary
matters.
Among those slated for pay
raises is Sam Mele, who has been
q key figure in each Of the Mats
five victories on this trip. Last
night Sam socked a 3-run homer
In the third inning against Ted
Gray to stake Bob Kuzava to a
lead he never relinquished. The
defeat snapped Detroit's five-game
winning streak.
Sandalio Consuegra was to take
the mound for the Mats today
against Freddie Hutchinson, who
will be seeking his 18th win.
Cass Michaels and Sam Dente
kept Kuzava in hot water all
night with bobbles and BRAIN
storms, but Bob came through
magniflcently in the clutch. He
scattered II hits to snare his sixth
win.
Error Brings Tally.
Michaels' error on Vic Wertz's
grounder led to Detroit's first run
in the second inning. Hoot Evers
and Johnny Groth followed with
singles, but with two out in the
third Mele wiped out that advan-
tage.
Eddie YoSt singled to start the
third before Michaels and Irv No
rem famed. Mickey Vernon beat
out a tap back to Gray and Mele
then fofted his tenth homer of the
season into the upper left-f1eld
stands.
Doubles by Bob Ortiz and Dente
plus Yost's single gave the Mats
a 5-1 lead in the sixth and that
score stood until the eighth. Then
Michaels' boner gave the Tigers
their other run and put Kuzava
up to his chin in trouble.
Jerry Priddy was safe when
Dente fumbled his grounder and
George Kell beat out an infield
hit. Priddy shifted to third after
Wertz flied to Mele, but Evers
lashed q certain double-play
grounder at Dente.
Thinks Two Out.
Sam tipped the ball to
Michaels at second. Cass stepped
on the base and then started
toward the dugout. Evers would
have been an easy double-pl
victim had Michaels fired to first,
but Cass believed the side had
been retired and Priddy scored
as Evers reached first.
It could have been costly, for
Groth singled and Don Holloway
walked to fill the bases, but
Kuzava disposed of pinch hitter
Charley Keller on a fly to Gil
Coan in left.
NAT NOTES: Noren has hit
safely in II straight games. .
When Ortiz doubled in the sixth
inning, it marked his first hit
since June 80. Yost reached
base every time up with three
walks and two singles. >. He has
gotten on base 10 times in his last
II efforts.
Mele has batted in 16 runs in
10 games on this trip. Gray,
who struck out nine before retir-
ing in the sixth, has been batted
from the mound in his last five
starts. The win was Wash
ington's fifth straight here.