The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-26
SPURT OF BARONS
 MARVELOF BASEBALL
Birmingham Club Marched From Fifth Place First in Little Over Month-Barons Win 27 in Last 40-Have Not
 Lost Series Since July 13
By REUBEN A. LEWIS

THE consistent strides with which
 the Barons have marched into ! the lead of the league arc in- deed wonderful. The Birmingham club has played II consecutive series against practically every club in the Southern league without losing the decision in either of the three. four or five game clashes. On July h Molesworth's crew was laundering In second division-fifth place. But four games separated the total victories and losses.
 Not since Atlanta invaded Birming- ham territory for a four-game clash on July 13 have the Barons lost decision in a series. Atlanta scored three vic- tories in four games. Humbled by the Crackers, the Barons started the spurt that led onward to the foremost rank Eleven series have been played without a loss of decision.
 An even break with Nashville re- suited in the following series. Three out of five fell to the Barons in the series with Chattanooga. The same dose was reepated to the Memphis club on the battle field of tho Turtles. Despite their lofty rang the Crackers were humbled three out of four in At lanta. After winning three consecu- tive series. Birmingham secured an even break in Mobile, by winning a double header on the fourth day after the first two games had accrued to the Gulls.
 Returning to Redwood New Or leans was vanqushed in two of the three battles. Montgomery was ad- ministered the same drubbing. Mo- biles invasion of Birmingham was disastrous to the Gulls, as three con secutive victories were awarded the Barons. In the series with Mobile, Birmingham gained second rank.
 
 Triumphant, the Barons journeyed to New orleans and assumed the lead of the circuit by administering two consecutive defeats to the Birds. Thus within the short period of one month and two days. the Barons had as- cended from fifth to first place Fol- lowing the squirt into first place, Bir- mingham took series from Mont gomery and another from Nashville, which included two draw games.
 By achieving an initial victory over the Lookouts, the Barons have a splen- did opportunity to pass a twelfth series without a loss. Maintaining such consistent stride is a marvel in base ball and should be rewarded with a bunting.
 
 Of the last 40 games played. Bir- mingham has won 27. Eight of the number have been shutouts. The longest winning streak during the spurt is six straights. The Barons won the last game of double header against Montgomery on August 12, and allowed 1t by SCOT ing three straight victories over Mobile, and two straight over New orleans. It was the lowly Billikens, led by Day, who halted the onward march.
 Such a consistent march has been due mostly to the tight twirling of the Baron flinging corps-Hard- grove, Brown. Roth, Robertson and Johnson. The five slabmen have labored In great style. However, good judgment and fast fielding have decided many clashes.
 Here is the record:
 July 1S-Birmingham II, Atlanta l. July 14-Birmingham 4, Atlanta 5. July 15-Birmingham 3. Atlanta O. July Birmingham !, Atlanta ,. July 1S-Birmingham 4-3, Nashvil so.
 July 19-Birimngham 1, Nashville July 20-Birmingham 1, Nashville July 21-Birmingham D, Chatti nooga 4.
 July 22--Birmingham 11-0. Chats nooga Il.
 July 23-Birmingham 8, Chatti nooga 4
 July 24--Birmingham 12, Chatt nooga 2. July Birmingham !, Memphis l, July Birmingham 01, Memph 30. July 2S-Birmingham 7s Memph 1O-1.
 July o9-Blrmingham ', Atlanta l.. July 30-Birmingham 2. Atlanta |. July 31-Birmingham o, Atlanta B. August 1--Birmingham 9, Atlanta August 9, Birmingham 1. Mobile 2. August 3-Birmlngham 0, Mobile l.. August 5--Birmingham 3-5, Mobi 0-2.
 August 6-Birmingham 0, New Q leans {.
 August 7-Birmingham 15. New o leans 2.
 August 8, Birmingham 6. New o