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► " — — » Pitchers Appear to Be Ahead Of Batters to Date This Year t y s t j 1 t j t ; 1 £ j 3 1 1 1 j ; j i j i . ■ ■ : ] . Four Twirlers Have Turned In Two-Hit Performances so Far Against Two for 1949 NEW YORK. N. Y., May 2.— In spite of the so-called lively ball it looks like a good year ahead for pitchers — if they just get some decent weather to show their stuff. Thus far, in spite of some of the most horrendous spring weather since Abner Doubleday laid out the first diamond, the pitchers appear to be ahead of the hitters to date. In both leagues there have been more low-hit games and more complete games than in the same period a year ago which is a pretty good sign. Last year at this time, only one pitcher, Steve Gromek of Cleveland, had managed to turn in a two-hit ball game, but this year there have been four to date. In the National League, Joe Hatten of the Dodgers did it against the Braves, Herman Weh-meier scored one against the Cubs and Mel Queen had a losing two-hit effort against the Reds. Willie Wight, the quick young Chicago left hander, turned in the only American League two-hit effort thus far against the Tigers. Three pitchers, young Curt Simmons of the Phillies, and veterans Harry Brecheen of the Cardinals and Ray Scarborough of the Senators have pitched three-hit games thus far this year. All were notable, even though Brecheen lost his game against the Cubs, then turned around and won his next start against the same club in 13 innings, allowing them five hits. Scarboroughs Unique. Game Scarborough had a very unique game against the Red Sox, missing a no-hitter only because Al Zarilla tagged him for the only three blows he allowed. Just as unhappy as Scarborough, was gangling Al Papal of the Red Sox, who was the losing pitcher in that same game. But Papal didnt have just one batter to blame, he was upset about the whole Senator team. They only tagged him for four hits but he was the loser just the same. Another four-hit loser was Johnny Schmitz of the Cubs who gave up only that many hits in 13 innings, only to lose to Brecheen in the seasons best pitching, battle to date. Other four-hit pitchers, all of whom won their games were Warren Spahn of the Braves against the Giants, Max Lanier of the Cardinals against the Reds and Bob Rush of the Cubs against the Cardinals. It is still a rarity to fling a five-hitter in these days of cheap homers and big innings, but five National League hurlers and two in the American have come up with such tight performances. In addition to Brecheens 13-inning whing-ding against the Cubs, the other five-hit jobs were by Cliff Chambers of Pittsburgh against first the Cardinals and then the Reds; Ewell Blackwell of the Reds against the Pirates, Joe Dobson of the Red Sox against the Athletics, and Dick Starr of the Browns against the White Sox. Six-hitters have been comparatively plentiful, especially in the American , League. Joe Dobson and Ellis Kinder of . the Red Sox, Ted Gray and Virgil Trucks of the Tigers/Mickey Haefner of the White l Sox, Bobby Feller of the Indians, Joe Os-, trowski of the Browns, and Steve Nagy . and Scarborough of the Senators all are [ in that category. The National League six-hit artists are Montia Kennedy of the Giants in a losing effort against the Braves, Rookie Bob Mil- ler of the Phillies, and Gerald Staley of the Cardinals. There is nothing in the book to indicate that these fellows wont continue the trend from now on — regardless of the weather and the fact that most of " them are convinced they didnt get enough ■ work in Florida. 3 JOE HATTEN — Dodger hurler pitched two-hitter against the Braves.
