Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-31
BUCCANEERS CLING
TO SLIGHT MARGIN
Cardinals Twin Victory Puts
Champs Almost in Tie at
National League Top.
BY WILLIAM J. CHAPMAN,
Associated PYess Sports Writer.

~ ASE BALL advances from
K early season toward the
| J outposts of midseason with
the Athletics and the Pr
rates holding the lead and most Of
the IA remaining entries clutching
nothing but the bag. The margin
of the Mackmen is large. that OF
the Pirates satisfactory to Buca-
neer boosters. And the standing
of the clubs no longer can be
scoffed at as meaningless.
The most hopeful expression which
now may be made of clubs down in the
running is that any potential contend
er owning percentage Of 500 can
possibly rally sharply enough to win
in the stretch. This statement just
does include the Giants, the Yankees
and the Tigers.
The Athletics seized the opportunity
presented in the Decoration day dou-
ble-headers to increase their margin
over the Yankees to seven and one
half games. Bob Grove and old Jack
Quinn performed in front Of Boston
spectators, leading the AS to victory
by scores of 9 to and @ to 8. as the
Senators trimmed the Yankees twice.
Washington chased Herb Pennock
8 to 5, and hurled ninth-round rally
At Henry johnson. Wiley Moore and
Tom Zachary to ease out ahead by
4 to 3 in the nightcap. Three runs
were scored in the gala finish.
Tigers and Browns Split.
On the Western front pitchers were
haing manhandled by the Browns and
i,e Tigers. who divided their double
bill to the profit of Connie Mack. De-
5voit took the morning game by IA to
s. but the st. Louis contenders came
back in the afternoon to win by Is
70 g. This division Of the spoils en-.
ab!ed the Macks to increase their lead
over both. The leaders now top the
Brownies by four games and the Tigers
by seven and one-half.
The remaining action in the western
half of the Barnard circuit saw Cleve-
land and Chicago swap victories. the
Indians winning the first game by
by 3 to g Willis Hudlin and Red
Taber were the successful pitchers.
The Pirates retained the National
League lead by turning back the CUBS,
to 0. in the afternoon. after the
uins had romped off with the OPEN
e.. 5 to /. Remv Kremer was not
uuite equal to matching arms with the
veteran Ar.ie Nehf in the morning. but
Burleieh Grimes had wide margin
ovnr Charlie Root in the afternoon,
winning his ninth successive victory.
Cardinals Are Close.
The lead Of the Pirates is only in
percentage points as the Cardinals en-
tered into a virtual tie for the top by
defeating the Reds, to / and 8 to 2,
in an afternoon bargain. Old Alex out
pitched Red Lucas in the first game and
the second was case OF too mucn
Haines. The National League cham
pions remained to the rear of the Cor
sairs only because of having played
NOR, ganes and, consequently. of hav-
ing lost more than the Forbes Field de-
Tenders.
John J. McGraw won his first double
victory of the season when the Clients
rallied to defeat the Cobins bv to in
the first game and sla mined the ball all
over the lot to take the second. Is to E.
The first was a ses-saw thriller. won
with two runs in the ninth. IT. met
with the vociferous approval OF 10000
fans, the largest base ball assemolage
ever accommodated at the Polo
Grounds.
The dual victory gave the Giants the
BROOKLYN series by three games to one
and increased their string eight out OF
nine. The only fault that can be found
with this squirt is the admittedly weak
opposition against which 1t was made.
The Braves turned on the Phillies.
to 7. in the morning clash at Baker
Bowl. but the home team resumed its
spell in the afternoon to win by II to 5.
The Phillies thus open their first in
vasion of the West one game above the
500 mark. which is ct least some i'm
provement over recent years.