Evening star., 1951-05-07
MeIe Shifted 10 First,
|0utfieId Weakened;
Mats Split With Tribe
By Burton Hawkins
Stor Stoff Correspondent

IVernon's injury as the Mats divided
a double header with the Indians
yesterday, winning 81 and losing,
Az, has put Manager Bucky
Harris in a tight spot for re-
placements. For the next 10 days.
while Vernon is on the shelf,
Harris will have to be an ex-
pert juggler to keep the team
going.
Vernon, a Slow-healing veteran,
tore the tendons above and below
his left ankle when his spikes
snagged as he slid into second
base in the ninth inning of the
first game. The accident was a
stunning blow to the club.
Harris sent ailing Sam Mele
from right field to first, where
he performed adequately, although
not as polished. defensively, as
Vernon. Getting a suitable re-
placement in right field is more
difficult. Sherry Robertson got
the call yesterday and his poor
judgment on Allie Clark's fly al
lowed the Tribe to score the
two runs that turned out to be
its Winning margin.
Also Weak in Catching.
Bucky is hurting behind the
plate. too. Mickey GraSso is in
the midst of a five-day suspen-
sion for haggling with an umpire
and Len Okrie has been no suit
able replacement. His erratic
throw in the first inning of the
second game ultimately led to
two runs.
Harris isn't certain Mele will be
able to play tonight when the
Mats and Indians tangle in the
final game of the series. Sam
was yanked in the first game due
to illness. but was pressed into
action in the nightcap and de-
livered three of the Mats five hits
off Bob Chakales.
Sam was subjected to misery in
the fifth inning of the second
game when he slid into Shortstop
Ray Boone at second base and
came off second best with q
wrenched neck and banged leg.
Mele finished the game despite
his condition.
COnsuegra Pitches Tonight.
Sandy Consuegra will bid for
his fourth triumph tonight and
opposing him, if fit, will be Bob
Feller. Bob was due to pitch
yesterday but his touchy sacro-
lilac got out of whack.
In the Mats last three games
six thefts have been attempted
with Okrie catching and four
have succeeded. In addition, Len
is batting .125 and thus the Mats
are searching desperately for
another catcher.
One of Lens throws proved
costly in the second game. With
one out and Bobby Avila on first
base in the first inning. Suitcase
Simpson famed as Avila lit out
for second base. A fair throw
would have nailed Avila, but
Okrie's peg was in the dirt. AL
RoSen then slammed home run
into the leftfleld stands.
Singles by Gil Coan and Mele.
walks to Robertson and Cass
Michaels, and Sam Denies out
field fly, gave the Mats the tying
runs in the third inning, but the
Indians bounced back with Rob-
ertsons aid.
Robertson Misjudges Fly.
Simpson opened Cleveland's
third inning by beating out a slow
roller to Michaels. Rosen and
Larry Dolby flied out, but Clark
lifted high fly to right. Robert
son played the ball badly, per-
mitting it to fall at his feet for
a double. Along came Boone to
bang a single to left, scoring
Simpson and Clark.
The Mats stirred up a real
threat in the ninth when Eddie
Yost singled and Coan walked,
but Lou Brissie replaced Chakales
at that point and the Mats rally
was snuffed. 1rv Noren fouled
out, Mele flied to deep center and
Robertson struck out.
| BriSsie was less trouble in the
first game, which he started, and
lost to the fine seven-hit pitching
OF Julio Moreno. Making his first
start OF the season, the slender
Cuban Joined Consuegra and
Chico Marrero in helping the Mats
to good start. Washington has
won II games and Consuegra