Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-24
Senators Chins Saq
After Ranking Loss
Dresser Faces
Stern Task of
Reviving Spirit
BY BURTON HAWKINS
Star Stafi Correspondent

ENROUTE TO BOSTON, May
24.-The Senators are taking
their longest train ride in history
with some Of the longest faces
in existence.
They're nestled in eighth place
as the result of losing seven of
eight games IN the West, includ-
ing their last five. and that Bit
ter TO defeat in II innings yes
terday at Kansas City will rankle
as one TO the most demoralizing
ever inflicted on the club.
Manager Chuck Dresser now
has a construction job on his
hands. He must perk up the
Senators spirit and convince the
club it isn't snake-bitten. It's
a task to test the bouncy pilot,
for seldom in his long career
has he viewed as many dropping
chinS.
The schedule offers no CO.
operation. The Senators are
headed for Bostons chummy
Fenway Park, where short
leftfeld fence offers little COM
fort for a beleaguered pitching
staff. There they must tangle
with the Red Sox in four games,
move on to Baltimore to face
the improved Orioles in a pair,
then invade New York for three
games.
Fine Relief Jobs
The Senators gave it a valiant
battle before plunging into the
cellar. They got superb relief
performances from Bob Chakales
and Connie Grob. but both
wilted after their teammates had
staked them to leads. Chakales
was one pitch from victory and
couldn't make it after hurting
brilliantly. Grob came along to
hold the Athletics to one hit in
six innings, but after the Sena-
tors moved in front in the 18th
he collapsed.
Chakales look over from Dean
Stone in the first inning and
turned in a sparkling effort. Fer
8is innings he allowed one hit.
that tainted infield affair. In
the ninth the Senators mustered
two runs for him off Art Ditmar
when Jim Lemon singled. Whitley
Herzog doubled and Clint Court
ney delivered a pinch single to
score both.
But with one down in the last
of the ninth, Joe Ginsberg
singled and Pinch-hitter Enos
Slaughter walked. The Senators
breathed easier when Tim
Thompson batted for Ditmar
and watched a third strike, but
Vic Power batted for Joe
Demaestri and singled to left,
scoring GlnSDefg.
Defense PrOlOngS It
Hector Lopez carried Chakales
to full count, then dashed
double to center, scoring Slaugh-
ter with the tying run. That it
didn't end right there is tribute
to an astonishingly fine defen-
sive play which required the
collaboration of Herzog, Short
stop Jerry Snyder and Court
ney.
HerZog fielded Lopez drive
like a shortstop and quickly re-
turned the ball to the infield
Snyder took the ball with his
back to the plate. wheeled and
fired accurately to Courtney.
and Clint blocked pinch-runner
Mike BaxeS in a close play.
1t was crushing to be tied
after battling so strenuously,
but the more depressing blows
were still to be delivered. In the
18th, Roy Sievers' single, Run
nels sacifice and Herzog's two
out double off Tom German
provided 6-5 edge.
Grob had been magnificent
in holding the AS, but Jim Fin
igan Socked his first pitch of
the 18th inning over the left
field fence to tie the score. Gins
berg fouled out, but Cletus Boyer
popped a single into short right.
Chuck Stobbs replaced Grob and
See SENATOR'S, Page CO.