Monday, August 4, 1952

W L Pct. GB
Victoria .... 70 35 .667 —
Spokane ..... 60 49 .550 12
Vancouver ... 52 48 .520 15½
Salem ....... 52 53 .495 18
Lewiston .... 51 56 .477 20
Yakima ...... 49 60 .450 23
Tri-City .... 45 60 .429 25
Wenatchee ... 44 62 .415 27½

VICTORIA [Colonist, Aug. 5]—Victoria Tyees lost last night but that was not in the least responsible for the post-game gloom among club officials gathered in business-manager Reg Patterson’s office. After all, the 5-2 loss to the Yakima Bears was only the seventh setback in 29 games for the W.I.L. leaders, 12 games out in front with only about 50 left to play.
It was the negative result those impressive statistics were producing at the box office—and the gloom was understandable.
Just back from a 5-2 road trip, the hustling Tyees, who have given the best in baseball entertainment all season, were “greeted” by less than 1,300 paying customers and club officials could be pardoned it they were wondering what happened to those “fans” who claimed they were only waiting for good baseball to give their support. Saddled with debuts of previous clubs and continually increasing operating costs, officials made no secret of the fact that the financial position of the Tyees is in direct contrast to their position in the pennant race. In fact, only a sharp increase in attendance will ensure that the Victoria club will be able to operate another season.
OFFICIALS DISCOURAGED
Discouraged officials, discussing an appeal for all-out support for the Tyees’ remaining home games, felt there was little hope for continuation of a home-owned baseball club if no support was forthcoming for the “winner” so long in demand.
As for the game itself, it was worthwhile for those who did turn out although the Tyees, as is their wont on Mondays, didn’t have their usual zip or authority at the plate.
That, too, was understandable. Manager Cec Garriott was forced to submit a line-up minus two regulars and including four players who should have been off nursing lesser injuries.
Out of action were Don Pries, hustling jack-of-all-positions, and Lu Brahman, who has been hitting consistently in recent games. Pries needed stitches for a split finger, suffered in batting practice when he put up his left hand to ward off one of Walt Towns’ deliveries, and will probably be out of action for the whole week. An infected leg put Branham on the sidelines.
Playing under handicaps were Garriott and Granny Gladstone, both with wrist hurts, and Dwane Helbig and Bob Moniz, still bothered by knee injuries.
The line-up shuffle made necessary by this rash of hurts found Moniz at third base and third baseman John Treece at second.
INTERESTING GAME
Despite the makeshift line-up the Tyees made it an interesting game. They received steady pitching from Bill Prior until the late innings and lost only because of their inability to put together anything resembling a sustained offense.
Bob Savage, former major leaguer with the Philadelphia Athletics, held the Tyees to nine singles but was in trouble of sorts in all but three innings and the losers had their chances. They failed to take advantage of them, getting only one run out of two three-hit innings and wasting all but one of their other three hits.
Prior, who probably needs more work to be at his best, had a neat two-hitter at the end of five innings but tired in the late going as the ever-dangerous Bears got to him for nine of their 11 hits and four of their runs in the last four innings. Len Noren, one-time Victorian, hit two long triples for the winner, while Jerry Zuvela led off the ninth with a smashing home run over the fence in right-centre at about the 350-foot mark.
HAN TO START
The teams go at it again tonight in the second of a three-game set. LeRoy Han, a fire-balling 18-year-old righthander who joined the club last week and showed plenty of promise although losing his first start, will pitch for the Tyees. Tom DelSarto, ace Yakima southpaw, will oppose him.
Yakima ........ 100 001 201—5 11 0
Victoria ....... 001 000 100—2 9 0
Savage and Donahue; Prior and Martin.

VANCOUVER [Keith Matthews, News-Herald, Aug. 5]—Sometime after General Manager Bob Brown had delivered a stern clubhouse sermon, the Capilanos went upon the baseball field Monday and looked like the champions they were written up to be.
They defeated Wenatchee, 4-0, which is hardly an accomplishment of note, but there were several members of the local cast who committed themselves ably.
Principally, there was Tom Lovrich, the pitcher. A collegian from California, the willowy youngster breezed to his fifth victory of the campaign and his first shutout in Organized Baseball. It was a three-hitter, one of those infield, and the best spot of pitching turned in by a Capilano for many innings.
VANNI SPARKLING
Then there was Edo Vanni, the manager and sparkplug. He led the attack with a single and a double—was, in fact, on base three out of four times for the night’s work. He had a run batted in and one scored.
Just what went into Mr. Brown’s speech, nobody can tell. It is something which will remain between himself and the ball club. It had its effects, though, and it was largely held, no doubt, because of the Paul Jones case.
Jones was officially laid off last night until August 8. His indefinite suspension for insubordination will be eight days’ duration and all of this has been designed to make a better man of him and, of course, a more useful ball player.
IN TROUBLE ONCE
Last night, the club looked as if it had few worries. They fielded well, especially when they had to. Lovrich was only in trouble once, this in the Wenatchee seventh when he had the bases full and one out. Ray Tran gobbled up a ground ball and turned it into a fast double play and that ended that.
With men on base, the Caps hit well, too. They left only six on all evening and two of their runs were scored without the benefit of a hit.
DIAMOND DUST—The Penticton Peach Queens were there last night and made a pre-game official appearance … the same clubs play an 8:15 single game tonight with Van Flecther (10-7) going for the Capilanos … John Ritchey got a night’s rest Monday … He’s suffering from a swollen ankle and he’ll likely be rested again tonight … Yakima comes to town Thursday, then it will be Victoria Monday.
Wenatchee ..... 000 000 000—0 3 2
Vancouver ...... 100 010 11x-4 5 1
Stites and Pocekay; Lovrich and Duretto.

SALEM, Aug. 4 — The Salem Senators of the Western International League Monday night scored a 2-1 victory here over the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League.
Both Salem's runs came in the fifth inning. Jim Deyo singled, Bob Nelson doubled and Bob Collins, the winning pitcher, rapped a squeeze bunt, scoring Deyo. Gene Tanselli, ex-Oregon Stater, singled to score Nelson.
Portland's run in the eighth came when Collins walked Herman Reich with the bases loaded. That let Mike McCormack score.
Salem's biggest crowd of the season, 4,543 fans, saw the game.
The Salem victory evened the series which started in 1940 at nine games each.
Portland .... 000-000 010—1 5 1
Salem ....... 000 020 00x—2 8 2
Waibel, McIrvin (7) and Gladd; Collins, Francis (8) and Nelson.

ONLY GAMES SCHEDULED

Braves Almost Lose Kovenz
[Tri-City Herald, Aug. 5, 1952]
The Tri-City Braves almost lost hard-hitting John Kovenz this week when Wichita, Kans., of the Western League sought to recall him.
Instead, Bob Rittenberg, an infielder, will go to Wichita.
Wichita wanted to recall Kovenz to trade him for an infielder. The Braves club, which has an excess of infielders, urged Wichita to take Rittenberg. Wichita agreed.
The arrangement; was a happy one all the way around. Wichita has plenty of power at the
plate, and primarily needed a man to carry the load on defense—a job weak-hitting Rittenberg us well able to do.
Tri-City, which needs more power at the plate, retains Kovenz—one of their top hitters.