Evening star., 1950-08-15
.Lopat and Bearden
Scheduled 10 Pitch
In Afternoon Game
By Burton Hawkins


night schedule today in opening
four game series with the skid
ding Yankees. BY day and by
night, they are eager to inf1ict
body blows on New York's pen
nant ambitions.
Carrying a 5-4 season edge into
the series, the Mats are the only
club with the exception of the
league leading Tigers to boost a
margin over the Yankees. who
have lost seven Of their last II
games.
The 1949 champions desperately
need the Mats as an elevator to
lift them within closer range Of
the Tigers. Bucky Harris has an
old score to settle with the New
York club, however. and would
like nothing better than sweep
of the four games.
Still ranking in Harris chest
is the rude manner in which he
was dismissed as New York man
ager at the end of the 1948 sea-
son after keeping the Yankees in
the race until the day before the
end of the campaign.
They're Tough on COntenderS.
. In one year Harris has hauled
the Mats out Of the cellar and
virtually clinched fifth place.
There's a SiZeable chaSm between
the Mats and the first division,
but Bucky's boys have been pester-
ing the top teams all season.
The Yankees recently have been
operating minus Joe Di Maggie,
and it's likely he'll remain benched
today. Di Maggio's hitting fell
off to practically nothing and
Manager Casey Stengel is hoping
the vacation will restore Joe's
effectiveness.
The Mats will have to get along
without First Baseman Mickey
Vernon, but they have come up
with a capable replacement in
Sam Mele, who was instrumental
in enabling the Mats to take three
of five games from Boston.
Mele, Subbing for the injured
Vernon who will miss the New
V0rL SoTiac duo m an aol>1a ~
jury, mauled Boston pitching at
a .450 clip in five games, blasting
nine hits in 20 attempts.
Bearden and Kuzava.
Gene Bearden, anxious to post
his first victory as Nat, will
pitch in the afternoon game at
2:30, while Bob Kuzava will work
under the lights starting at $50.
New York will counter with Ed
Lopat in the afternoon and Ed
Ford. second-f1ighter, at night.
Separate omission will be
charged for the games.
This is the first of the two split
"double-headers" which prompted
that outburst by Senator LANCER
of North Dakota. LANCER ac-
cused Clark Griffith of prof.
teering" but the Mats president
was warmly defended. AS a mat
ter of fact, both -admis-
sion bills actually were arranged
at the request of the Yankees and
Tigers. who will play afternoon
and night games here August 90.
Kuzava has been luckless in his
last two starts against the Yam
KEGS. On June 27 he travelled 10
innings against New York, allowed
only one run and four hits but got
nothing better than a tie out of
it. The Mats went on to win that
one for Mickey Harris, 4-3, in IL
innings.
Pitching Help Needed.
In his next start against New
York on July 4. Kuzava pitched a
seven-hitter but finished with a
3-3 tie as darkness halted the
game at the end of nine innings.
Harris has been pleading with
Griffith for pitching help. due to
sore arms plaguing Connie Mar
zero, Jim Peerce and Elmer Sin
gleton.
Julio Moreno, who has a 1913
record with Havana, was supposed
to join the Mats weeks ago when
Rogelio Martinez was returned to
that club by Washington. Mar
tinez had mumps, however. then
submitted to a knee operation
which will keep him out for the
year. Joe Cambria, who handles
the Mats Havana interests, has
told Griff Moreno will be sent
here when Cambria is able to To-
cate another pitcher.
The Mats yesterday sent one of
their other Cubans. Outfielder
Roberto Ortiz, to the Athletics
for the $4,000 waiver price. Ortiz,
who twice led the Mexican League
in both hitting and home run
production, rejoined Washington
last year.
He has been used as a utility
outfielder and interpreter for the
-English-Speaking pitchers j
Marrero and Sandy Consuegra.