Evening star., 1951-04-11
Battle Dodgers
In Night Contest
Here Tomorrow
Simu on Slab as Club
Goes for Third Win
In Row Over Reds
By Burton Hawkins
Star Sfaff CORRESPONDENT

Dy burton FtoWktnS
Sfor Stuff Correspondent
LYNCHBURG. Va. April IL
The Mats took their last whack
at the pesky Cincinnati Reds to-
day. hoping to compile a three
game winning streak at their ex-
lpense before heading home for
their only preseason engagement
lat Griffith Stadium tomorrow
might with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have picked Dan
Bankhead to start against the
Mats. He probably will be re-
|lieved after six innings but it
was uncertain who the second
Dodger pitcher would be.
AL Sima, one of the Mats more
respectable pitchers on a staff
which generally has been mauled,
was Manager Bucky Harris choice
to oppose HOWE Fox today as
Washington sought to end the
Southern portion Of its spring
training campaign on q victorious
note.
The Mats were hoping to salvage
the last of 10 games with Cincin-
matt in a manner which would
boost the Reds ideas Of American
League play, for entering today's
game Cincinnati had won six Of
their nine contests. The Mats
now have a 1912 exhibition rec
ord.
Mats Earn More Respect.
The Mats have generated in
creased respect for their ability
in the last two days, however, after
suffering through a f1ve-game los
ling streak with their National
League playmates. Monday it was
Chico Marrero's two-hit pitching
which brought an end to the Mats
string Of defeats and yesterday at
Durham the Mats emerged from
"a protracted batting slump to bash
out a 14-12 triumph.
While Washington's 17-hit bar
lrage against Herman Wehmeier,
Jim Blackburn and Kent Pater-
son was heartening to Harris, he's
lstin searching for more effective
ness among his pitchers. Sandy
Consuegra and AL Brown were
blasted for II hits yesterday.
On their jaunt with the Reds
the Mats have demonstrated they
will require vastly improved pitch
ing II their dreams Of improving
last seasons f1fth-place finish are
to be realized. Cincinnati, not re-
garded as a National League pen.
nant factor. has averaged seven
runs q game against the Mats.
Michaels May Be Trade Bait.
1t may develop that the Mats
will use Cass Michaels, veteran in
fielder. although only "a years old
as trade bait to lure a pitcher
Michaels' job has been stolen by
Gene Verble, whose three hits yes
terday lifted his spring average
to 1888.
Harris liking for verble con-
tinues to increase, but offsettine
this, Bucky is unhappy over the
clubs pitching. Marrero's effort
Monday was the first highly COM
mendable performance he has
glimpsed. since Bob Kuzava and
Sima collaborated in whipping the
Giants. 10, three weeks ago.
Sid Hudson, with a pulled back
muscle. definitely is eliminated as
an opening-day pitcher. Gene
Bearden has been pounded Wig
orously in his last four starts
Kuzava has experienced brilliant
moments, only to yield damaging
homers at crucial times.
Hudson. Bezrden and Kuzavs
We regarded by Harris as his tor
trio when training started, with
Joe Haynes. Consuegra, Marrert
and Sima destined to fill in. But
Bucky hasn't received consistent
hurting from anybody and hi
pitching plans are as muddled a!
when the Mats launched sprin(
|practice.
Hitting Soothes Headache.
But one Of Bucky's headache
was soothed at least temporaril,
yesterday with the Mats battin,
display. Everybody got in on th'
hitting act and it was particular.
pleasing to Harris that Eddie Yos
delivered the game winning blow
Yost. hitless in 10 previous at
tempts, singled in the seventh t.
: score Mickey Grasso with the rul
which projected the Mats into ,
1912 lead and the score mountet
to it's final proportions when Firs
Baseman Ted Kluszewski fumblet
Irv Noren's grounder, enabling
Sam Mele to score.
| Consuegra was no puzzle to tn
Reds. Johnny Wyrostek bette,
him for two horners and Grad,
Hatton whacked another, Will,
Consuegra and Gil Coan thumpet
homers for the Mats.
Ik1 "a - "a