Evening star., 1951-05-04
Simo HurIs Tonight as Mats Fight to Keep Top Berth
Hudson's Long Absence Tightens Pitching Problem
Continue to Mop Up
Second Division Clubs:
Cleveland Series Next
By Burton Howkins
Sior Stofi cosrsspendsnt

most ardent supporters aren't
ready to regard Washington S
present position atop the Amer
lean League as signal to apply
for World Series tickets. but it's
a baseball axiom that a pennant
winner must murder second-divi-
sion clubs. Thus far the Mats are
guilty of homicide.
The Athletics, Browns and
White Sox, who are supposed to
be the Mats second-division COM
panions if preseason predictions
are fulfilled. haven't whipped the
Mats in seven games.
New York is the only club which
has defeated Washington, snaring
three wins in five games, but other
wise the Mats have bumped of
Philadelphia four times, st. Louis
twice and Boston and Chicago
once each.
Take Over First Place.
Their I'll triumph over the
White Sox yesterday behind the
nine-hit pitching of Chico Mar :
rero lifted them into undisputed
league leadership as the Indians
were idle. Tonight the Mats Will
attempt to maintain the lead
when AL Sima takes the mound
against Chicago's Joe Dobson. the
righthander who came to the
White Sox with AL zarilla. out
fielder, and Dick Littlefield. pitch
er, in the December deal that dis
patched Pitchers Ray Scarborough
and Bill Wight to Boston.
The Mats also will be anxiously
watching the scoreboard, aware
that they can slip to third place
merely by stumbling once If New
York beats st. Louis and Cleve-
land defeats Philadelphia in other
night games.
Manager Bucky Harris, who Is
|marveling at pitching which has
elevated his club to the penthouse
is worrying about one game at a
time and hasn't thought much
about the three-game series WITH
Cleveland starting with a double.
header Sunday.
HudsOn'S Absence Felt.
Harris is beginning to feel the
pinch of Sid HudSon's prolonged
absence, but he'll attempt no Jug
Cling act in an effort to hold back
a particular pitcher for the In.
dians. At this stage of the race he
regards a win over Chicago just
as highly as one over Cleveland.
Bucky will use Bob Kuzavs
against Chicago tomorrow and will
have no misgivingS about not say.
ing him for the Indians. BOZ
never has beaten Cleveland and il
Harris possibly can avoid it he
never uses Kuzava against thai
team.
Sandy Consuegra will be en-
ployed against Cleveland Monday
night. while Kuzava, Marrero and
Sima will be eliminated automat-
ically from participation in Sum
days double-header due to INSULT
cient rest. Thus Bucky's choice
will be narrowed to Joe Haynes,
Bob Ross, AL Brown, Mickey Har-
rlS and Julio Moreno.
Harris May Start.
If Bucky can grant Mickey
enough rest in the final two games
here it could be that he'll use his
'left-hand relief ace in a starting
role against Cleveland. Mickey
was never sharper than when he
pitched six innings against the
Browns Tuesday night, retiring 1s
batters in order after yielding a
single.
Meanwhile. Bucky is hoping
Sima and Kuzava will go the
distance against the White Sox
so the Mats will be able to invade
Cleveland with rested relievers.
In compiling his third straight
win yesterday Marrero kept his
earned-run average at 100 to keep
pace with Consuegra. Chico had
whipped Philadelphia, 6-l and 81
before yesterdays game, while
ConSuegra also has permitted only
three earned runs in three games.
Score Tied in Third.
Successive singles by Mickey
Grasso and Marrero. plus Eddie
Yost's double play grounder,
fetched the Mats a run off Billy
Pierce in the third inning, but
the Sox tied it up in their portion
of the inning when Pierce walked
and came around on singles by
Chico Carresquel and Floyd Baker.
Yost launched a three-run out
burst in, the fifth inning when he
lofted a home run into the left
field stands. Mike McCormick's
single, Irv Noren's double and
Mickey Vernon's single accounted
for two more runs.
The Mats spurted for three more
runs in the eighth when Vernon
and Sam Mele singled and Cass
doubled to bring one run
across. Yost's double to center