Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-18
S|umpiing Mats
Hope Marrero
Can Halt Yanks
Face Allie Reynolds;
Only Two Runs Scored
On Southpows So Far
By Burton Howkins
Sfar Sfuff CORRESPONDENT

Marrero, who figured prominently
in getting the Mats of to a sizzling
start last year, was counted on tx
prevent panic among 'em today
when he pitches against the
Yankees Allie Reynolds in the
champions first home game.
Reynolds, a 17-game winner last
season who included two no-hit-
tiers among his victories, came as
a refreshing sight to the Mats
despite his 25-8 lifetime record
against Washington. Allie fires
with his right hand and, at the
moment, that alone is enough to
|endear him to the Mats.
For the Mats worst fears are
being fulfilled. They were rated
soft touches for left-handed
pitching, and nothing they've &C
|compliShed to date has caused any
change of opinions. In 10 innings
against left-handed Mel Parnell,
Bill Wight and young Bill Henry,
they've made just two runs and
eight hits.
Gil Coan Still Hitless.
In addition, they displayed no
astonishing attack against Randy
Gumpert and Ellis Kinder, both
|right-handers, in capturing their
lone decision in three games with
the Red Sox in Washington. But
they're willing to take their
chances against the right-handers
if the southpaws will cease
plaguing them.
Particularly feeble. at a time
when the Mats don't know when
they'll get their next hit, has been
Gil Coan. Normally a feared
spring hitter who has belted left
handlers even more than right
handlers. Coan is hitless in IL at
tempts.
Bucky Harris is convinced his
club will hit more authoritatively
than it has. After all, Yost, Coan,
Noren, Mele and Michaels are
potential 800 hitters," the Mats
manager said after that 90 beat
ing by Boston yesterday in WASH
lngton. IF they haven't hit 300,
they've been close enough to it
to prove they can. This kind of
hitting just can't continue Il
hope" =
Yost's Luck Bad.
Yost is batting .091 at the mo-
ment. but Harris isn't concerned
about him. Eddie has smashed
several right on the nose, but
they've been right at fielders. All
ne needs eis q little luck to get
started. I'm looking for us to break
out in q rash of hits and stop all
this nonsense. I hope it happens
today so the boys can get nice
and loose"
Marrero, who held the Yankees
to three hits and one run In a six
inning exhibition effort, holds one
decision over New York and never
has been whipped by the Yankees.
The little Cuban won his first six
starts last season and Harris is
looking to him to pull the club to-
gether. -.
Boston's lanky Henry, making
his major league debut, pitched a
one-hitter against the Mats for six
innings yesterday and that lone
hit was made by Pitcher Don
johnson, who singled past Johnny
Pesky in the third inning.
johnson yielded only one hit in
the first four innings-a single by
Henry-but the Red Sox pried a
run from him in the fifth on Jim
Piersall's single. Ted Lepcio's in
field out and Catcher Sammy
Whites single.
The roof caved In on johnson In
the sixth when Rookie Faye
Throneberry blasted bases-filled
homer to feature a six-run upris-
ing. Dom DiMaggio's single and
walks to Pesky and Walt Dropo
damned the bases with one out
and Throneberry, then rammed a
drive off the wall into the Mats
bullpen for the first grand slam
of the season.
Sanchez Gets Bumps.
When johnson walked Piersall.
Harris beckoned Raul Sanchez to
the mound. Lepcio's double and
Henry's single promptly gave the
Red Sox two more runs and got
Sanchez off to a spur start in the
majors.
Boston boosted its lead to 80
In the seventh when Lepcio's
single scored Dropo. The latter
1ofted a home run into the left
field bleacherS in the ninth inning
on Mickey Harris to give the Red
Sox their final run.
The Mats picked up a run
against the firing Henry in the
(See MATS, Page C-3.)