Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-21
Yunks Get jump
In First Series
With Big Rival
BY the Associated Press

DlOUU IrOIu Tie ftcO 0OA III CIlc
opening series between the teams
voted most likely to succeed in
the American League, but the
Red Sox will get their big slug
ger. Ted Williams. back tomor-
row or Monday and hope to go
places thereafter.
Williams has been out of action
the last two days with a minor
foot ailment, but he wasn't avail
able until the end of May last
year. He is among those think
ing the first 80 days will decide
BoSton's fate this season, and
sees a chance for the Red Sox to
get a three or four-game lead
by that time.
The schedule gives Boston a
tremendous early season bresk,
with 10 of its first % games 1T
home. Williams points out. If
We can win Is or IA of those
home games and hold our own
at New York and Baltimore, we
might put some pressure on the
Yankees right from the start. y
Ted says.
Il think we have q better team
than last year." he asserted, but
we can use some help. l think
we need a little more hitting
and a little more balance in
pitching"
Chicago Still Leads
The Yankees I'll victory in
yesterdays opener at New York
gave them the early edge, but
both have 81 records and trail
the unbeaten White Sox who
came up with a three-run rally
in the ninth that beat the
Athletics. 6-3.
The Indians. the fourth team
in the probable pennant picture
won their first by knocking the
Tigers to a third straight defeat.
81, and Baltimore edged Wash
ington. 80.
In the National League, the
Cardinals pitching staff still
seems to be staggering with a
homer hangover. The Redbirds
who were clipped for an all-time
major league record of 1885
homers last season, have been
picked for eight so far this year
including three last night as the
Braves took a 5-4 decision to
stay unbeaten atop the league
i Brooklyn shelled Pittsburgh
80, on Roger Craig's nifty four
mt pitching; the Phillies edged
the Giants, 2-1, on a bases
loaded single by Del Ennis in the
10th, and the Cubs whacked the
Redlegs, l2-1. behind another
four-hitter by Sam Jones. who
Tanned nine.
White Has Possibilities
Williams. commenting OH the
american League situation, de-
clared: I'm not ready to say
we got as good a chance to
win as the Yankees have. but
the possibilities are there The
kids-Don Buddin and Frank
Malzone-look like they'll help
IN the hitting. but the KEY in
our offense is Sammy White. If
ne can add about 10 home runs
and pick up 20 or Is more runs
oatted in, he'll be the greatest
catcher in the league"
AS for pitching, Williams fig
ures that if either of the south
paws, Mel Parnell or Frank Bau-
man. or both. come through
wen give the Yankees or any
other club a real battle"
AS for yesterdays game
Mickey Nantes third 1856
homer, a three-run Job. iced it
Tor the Yankees in handing the
Red Sox their first defeat. He
aggravated a thigh muscle beat
ing out an RBI bunt. however,
and will be out a few DAYS.
Whitley Ford spun a five-hitter
While New York rolled up a 40
lead to chase Willard Nixon. the
only pitcher to beat the Yankees
four times last season.
The big blow for the White
Sox was Ron Northeys pinch
tWo-rn homer that triggered a
three-run ninth. 1t came off
Reliefer Tom German at Kan
sas City after Zernial had
squared the score at Sail in the
eighth for the Athletics. Dick
Donovan started and hit a two
run homer for the Sox. but Mil
lard Howell picked up the de-
Icision in relief.
Harvey Kuenn's sacrifice nv
scored Detroit's run in the first.
but then Early Wynn allowed
four hits the rest of the way
While Al Smith singled home the
deciding run in the fifth off loser
Ned Carver.
POholSky Still Throwing
Milwaukee's homers against
the Cardinals came off starter
Tom Poholsky, the big right
hander who gave up rs gopher
balls last season. Reliefer Stu
Miller was the loser, however. on
Bobby Thomson's sacrifice fiy
that scored Eddie Mathews. who
mad singled. with the unearned
winning marker in the eighth.
Junior Gillian homered the
first two Brooklyn runs across.
then added two more with a
bases-loaded single. 1t was more
than enogh for Craig.
Jones, flaming Ted Kluszewski.
Wally Post and Gus Bell in the
fourth, had even more support
while going four innings before
giving a hit. The Cubs. held to