Evening star., 1954-05-25

McDermoit Will Seek
Second Victory Over
Champions Tonight
By Burton Howkins

Bucky Harris win be the CEN
ter Of attraction in pre-game
ceremonies at Grifith Stadium
tonight when he steps to the
plate to receive an automobile
from his friends, but the Yankees
have planned a less sentimental
gesture for the action which will
follow.
The Senators manager will ex-
perience a thoroughly enjoyable
evening if his club can knock of
the New Yorkers in the opener of
a three-game series, but the
champions aren't planning to
make Bucky's night too pleasant.
They're sending crafty Ed Lopat
against the Senators. who have
learned to regard such informa-
tion as bad news.
Lopat, who has compiled a SO
record, will be seeking his 18th
straight victory over Washington.
He hasn't lost to the Senators
since June 26, 1851. In his last
six games against them, he has
permitted only five runs and
never more than one a game.
The veteran lefthander will be
opposed by Maury McDermott, a
f1ve-hit conqueror of the Orioles
in his last start, who will be try
ing for his third win. McDermott
defeated the Yankees, 9-3, in his
only appearance against them
this season.
Pressure on McDermOtt.
McDermott will be aware that
the first run he yields could be
the one to beat him. Lopat owns
a 27-8 lifetime record against
the Senators and rare are the
occasions when he invites trouc:e
through wildness. In his last
36 innings against Washington
he has given up only three
walks.
Lopat was lucky as well as
proficient in his last triumph
over the Senators. Johnny
Schmitz was battling Ed to a
IL tie when Lopat left the game
for a pinch-runner in the ninth.
Two errors by Wayne Terwilliger
permitted the winning run to
score and Johnny Sain preserved
the victory for Lopat.
The Senators, who have won
four of their last six games,
will face the champions in six
Of their next 10 contests. It
isn't a rosy outlook for a team
attempting to struggle pack to
respectability after a stumbling
start.
New York is one of the two
teams in the league over which
the Senators display an edge,
however. and they're hopeful of
retaining it. The Senators have
captured two of three against
the Yankees.
Hitting on Upgrade.
Harris has reason to suspect
the Senators hitting is on the
upgrade. Pete Runnels has been
a 500 hitter in his last six games,
slugging four triples, while
Mickey Vernon also has found
the range.
Vernon, who supplied three
doubles and home run in
WaShington's win over Philadel-
phia Sunday. has made IL of his
last IA hits for extra bases.
Mickey has batted at a 800 clip
in his last 10 games and is lift
ing his average toward the 300
class.
Tom Umphlett, installed as the
regular rightf1elder, is thriving on
steady work. He has Clipped in
with five hits in his last three
games and any continuation Of
that sort of hitting will keep him
in the lineup.
Harris will send Bob Porterfield
against the Yankees tomorrow
night and will use Chuck Stobbs
Thursday afternoon, when the
Red Cross will benefit if the crowd
exceeds 5000. There will be pre-
game contests by the Yankees
and Senators, Vernon will re-
ceive a silver bat for leading the
American League in hitting last
season and lucky fans will be
awarded two automobiles and a
boat.