The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-24
YANKEES GOING TRUE TO FOR M
 IN EARLY GAMES
Gehrig May Be Benched !; Rowe Makes Fine Come
 back; As Top Red SOx
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, April 24.-(UP)- National leagues most formidable Class is beginning to tell early in the major league pennant races. Already the Tanks are away wlngnig in the American league. The Reds, Cubs and Giants, figured as the Na- tional leagues most formidable con- tends, are setting the early pace.
 The Tanks strength is apparent from their forging to the front while carrying Gehrig. The once mighty Gehrig has mace only one infield hit in four games and is batting .O71. Playing his 2,126th consecutive game yesterday, he was the only Yankee to go hitles as the world champs humbled Washington 7-4.
 Going Down
 Gehrig's benching probably will be postponed as long as the Tanks con- tinue to win. It seems likely, how ever, that he soon will be dropped lower in the batting order as his hitting doesn't justify the No. 5 spot he now occupies. Already the pitchers are starting to walk Joe DiMaggio to get him. How the mighty have fallen!
 Finishing strongly, Steve Sundra Sundra turned back the Senators nine hits, and showed enough to get the No. 5 starting role behind Ruff ing, Gomez, Pearson and Hide brand. The Yankees rapped Ken Chase for seven hits in 3 2-3 IT, nings. He was the third southpaw they have licked in four games. Pretty soon the boys vii catch on that the Tanks this season cary most of their power in their right handed lineup, which has Joe Gall lagher and Jake Powell in the out field.
 The Reds trimmed the Pirates, 7-2 and the Cubs licked the Cards, 6-5, to tie for the National league lead. Bucky Walters let the Pirates down with six hits, and the Reds batted out Bob Klinger. Harry Craft led Cincinnati's 12-hit attack with three singles, and Wally Berger hit 8 homer with one on.
 Cub pitcher Clay Bryant allowed only eight hits but his wildness had him in hot water frequently. Paul Dean, in his first start, was driven out in the fourth. Leiber, Bartell and Marty drove in two runs apiece.
 Harry Gumbert won his second victory as the Giants trimmed the Bees, Az. Burgess Whitehead ham, dled Il assists and equalled a record made by Fred Dunlap of Cleveland in 1882. Hank Danning topped the Giants 12 hits with two singles and double. The victory enabled the Giants to tie the Bees for third place.
 Doc Prothro's battling Phillies came from tbehind in the 18th to score twice and beat Brooklyn, 5-4 Little Heinie Mueller's triple and Lazzeri hit homers Tor the Dodgers.
 We'll Done
 Schoolboy Rowe, whose arm das of the big question marks of the spring, made a brilliant comeback by letting Cleveland down with four hits as Detroit blasted the Indians so. The Tigers rapped Harder, zu- Der and Milnar for IS hits with Fox and Tebbetts getting thre each. Rowe famed four and walked only one.
 Scoring six runs in the eighth tha Ath1eticS ua J10red tho Red Sox 12-8. Ted Williams, Red Sox rookie clouted a 42O-foot homer in addition to three other hits. Each side used five pitchers.
 The White Sox slugged out 19 hits as the ybeat the Browns, 17-4, fol their first victory. Gerald Walker Eric McNair and Mike Kreevich hi homers. Duncan Rigney went the route giving the Browns g hits.