The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-12
MANY SURPRISES
Both Circuits Have 1sDark
Horses" i'm the Race.
Frank Chances Team Shows
Speed at Detroit.

New York, May 12.-Followers of
major league baseball. particularly
| those interested in the National
League, have been treated to a series
must have been pleasureable, if their
SympathieS lay with the Brooklyns,
whose surprising rise of the week be-
fore was continued with squirt
which took them from fourth place to
second; or the reverse, if ones hopes
were fixed on the Pittsburgs, whose
remarkable slump was accelerated
with a jolt downward to within a
few points of the Bostons, who prof
tied chiefly by the Pirates fall.
Stallings' Braves, by the way, also
gave their followers a welcome sur
prise by dropping but one game and
winning four in a row.
The sensation of the week in the
American League was furnished by
the New Yorks. Chances erratic
band, after having been maltreated ty
the eastern clubs, jumped west and
in Detroit reeled off three victories
out of four starts, winning more
games in one series than they had
since the start of the season. On the
other hand, the Boston world cham
pions, after winding up their none
too successful eastern campaign by
dropping a game to Washington, land
ed in Cleveland when Birmingham's
men were going at a fast clip, and in
four games were thrice overcome. A
glance at the National League situa-
ton shows Philadelphia, although
fought to a standStill by st. Louis in
the recent series, still going at a
speedy clip and showing no signs of
collapse. The Brooklyns are chal-
longing strongly for the lead, how
ever, and the coming week may wit
ness a shift.
If Chicago has lost the ledge" it
additionally has had on New York
when the two teams met, their first
clash of this season gave no evidence
of it. Johnny Evers had rather
sorry time of it in Brooklyn, but evil
IDENTIFY has hopes of evening up at the
Giants expense. There is something
sadly amiss with the McGraw combi-
nation. Instead of getting the jump"
on the other teams by entering the
race highly conditioned and cantering
away, the New Yorks after more than
a month of play find themselves below
the 500 mark and a bad fifth in the
official standing. There are appar-
emily few, however, who expect the
teams slump to continue much long
err. The st. Louis pitchers are hold
ing Higgins team up in the race.
More of the same brand as that shown
in the Philadelphia series will carry
the Cardinals far. CincinnatiS main
trouble is weakness in this respect.
Only two of her box men have thus
far been able to get away with
game. On the other hand, the Boston
twirlers are delivering well just now
for Stallings.
American League conditions show
fewer changes than the National. No
one seems able to stop the Athletics
to any appreciate extent. The weeks
play found Washington holding their
own, so far as the club with which
they are now contending for second
place is concerned.
Chicago and st. Louis also played
on even terms during the week each
club dropping and winning 2. In
Detroit, Hugh Jennings has a prob
lem his hand that may be even
more difficult to solve than Frank
Chances with New York.