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; ; . 4 Stengel Nervous Despite Big Lead Were Not In Yet, 4 Says Yankee Pilot Casey Scared Oyer Thought Of Being First to Capture Five Consecutive Pennants By MILT DOLINGER United Press Sports Writer CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 28. Casey Stengel who has slightly more than a toehold on his fifth consecutive American league pennant, admitted today that he was "nervous." "SureTm nervous," the. wizard of double-talk said. "No manager has ever won five pennants in a row yet. Im nervous and scared." Even though his flag-bound New York Yankees dropped an 11-inning thriller here last night to the Cleveland Indians, 4-2, on a home run by Wally Westlake, Caseys men led the second place Chicago White Sox by 9Vz and the Tribe by 13 games. Not only does Stengel have more than an even chance to notch that fifth title but the Yankees can beat the club record of 110 victories in one season set in 1927. "Ever since we lost those nine games in a row, Ive been scared," he said. "Were not in yet, not by a long shot. "Look at what the Indians did to us last night," he said. "Theyre tough, they got a terrific infield and good pitching." , The loss was only the second extra-inning defeat of the season for the high-flying Yankees. They had won eight straight over-regulation games until last night. High Praise for Berra Stengel had high praise for his catcher, Yogi Berra, who hit a ninth inning double to tie up-the game and extend his hitting streak to. 17 straight games. The Yankees now have won 85 and lost 40 and Stengel admittedly is driving for at least 100 wins. "Fifteen to go," he said, "I sure wish I didnt scare so easy." Stengel commiserated with his fellow manager Al Lopez of the Indians. "Hes had some tough luck," Stengel said. "Cant understand it. He should be right up there with us. His team is leading ours in home runs, in double plays. If he had another guy hitting like "Al" Rosen, hed be in." The Indians have 130 homers to 115 for the Yanks and lead in double plays long a Yankee specialty 153 to 148. One of Lopez "strategic" moves last night had the fans and the Yankees buzzing. In the ninth inning, Larry Doby led off with a walk; Hank Majeski, batting for Harry Simpson, sacrificed. Then Stengel ordered an intentional pass to George Strickland. With two balls on Strickland, Lopez came out of the dugout and called Strickland away from, the plate to whisper something to him. On the next delivery a wide pitch, Strickland flung his bat at it. The wood flew almost to first base, but missed the ball for a strike. On the next pitch, Bob Kuzava not, only threw wide,, but threw high and the batter couldnt loft his bat at it. Garcia became the third pitcher to beat the Yankees three times this season. The other two are Early Wynri, also with the Indians, and Billy Pierce of the White Sox. GERRY COLEMAN Signed a contract for the remainder of the 1953 season andwill join his Yankee teammates in Cleveland today.
