The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-20
YANKEES FACE NEAR HOPELESS
 TASK TO WIN
Need to Win All 10 Games \ If Tigers, Indians Break
 Even in 8
BY GEORGE KIRKsEY

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 New York, Sept. 2O.-(UP)-The bitter American league pennant race was narrowed virtually to a two- horse race today between the De- troit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, two teams not given a look-in last spring.
 All tied in the league standings and in games against each other, the Tigers and Indians opened g. game cut-throat series in Detroit to break the deadlock. The winner of this series will move into the fave orite's position but unless there is a clean sweep of all three games the pennant is likely to hang in the balance until the final 3-gane series between the Tigers and In- dians at Cleveland at the tag end of the season, Sept. 27, 28 and 29.
 The Tigers and Indians also are even choices in the betting. Jack Doyle, Broadway betting cornmis- sioner, quotes at 5-6 each in the pennant race and at 9-10 each for today's game. Doyle's odds are II to 5 against either team winning the series opening day.
 The Yankees, shortest priced bet ting favorite in history at the start of the season, are hanging on the ropes ready for the kill. If either the Tigers or Indians break even in their remaining eight games, the Tanks would have to win g out of their remaining 10 games to tie and 10 out of 10 to win. Doyle quotes the Tanks at 8-1 now with no play. Buck vs Mel
 Opposing pitchers for today's Tiger Indian gSme are Buck New som, Detroit's eccentric right-hand- CT who has beaten Cleveland twice without losing to them this season, and Mel Harder, veteran Tribe right handler who hasn't registered de- cision this year against the Tig- CTS. In case he's needed in a relief role Bobby Teller, who won his 18th game Wednesday, will be rushed into the fray.
 Detroit's powerhouse attack brought the Tigers a double victory yesterday over the Athletics, 1922 and 10-l, and enabled them to move into a first place tie with the In- dians. Hank Greenberg hit his 39th homer and Rudy York his 31st in the opener and York added his 32d in the nightcap. The Tigers vici- ous hitting enabled them to get by with rookie pitcher, Floyd Giehell, fresh up from Buffalo, in the first game and Dizzy Trout, who had previously won only two games all season, in the nightcap.
 | Senators MiScue
 Three double plays helped A Smith best Dutch Leonard in a tight pitching duel as Cleveland trimmed Washington, 3-1. Smith allowed hits but the only run off him wa Johnny Welaj's homer in the 9th Two Washington errors figured il two Cleveland runs.
 Red Ruffing pitched the Tanks t l a 1O-1 triumph over the White Sol and the Browns nosed out the Rex Sox, 2-1, in the other two Ameri can league games. The Whit Sox' loss eliminated them from thu American league race.
 Rounding out 6 clean sweep of Il games during their tour of the east the champion Reds beat the Phillies Al, and increased their Nationa league lead to 12A games. Paul Der ringer, allowing only seven hits scored his 20th triumph to drav even with his teammate Bucky Wal ters.
 The Cardinals strengthened thei hold on third place by grabbing , doubleheader from the Pirates, g., and 8-2. Bill McGee won his 16tl victory, allowing but five hits il the opener. A 14-hit attack gay, the Cards the nightcap.
 Claude Passeau hung up his 19tl victory as the Cubs beat the Giants 8-2. It was the Giants 11th Straigh defeat, their longest under Bil Terry's management. Leiber ans Hack hit homers.
 YESTERDAYS HERO = Rud, York, Detroit first baseman whl made six hits, including two hom CTS, and drove in eight runs as tn, Tigers won a twin bill and movet back into first place tie witt Cleveland.