The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-13
WORLD CHAMPS' HITTING SLUMP
 VERY SERIOUS
Brooklyn Dodgers May Put Reds Further Down;
 Grove Beats Yanks
BY GEORGE KIRKsEY United Press Staff COrrespondent)

United Press Staff COrrespOndent)
 New York, May l3. - (UP) - The second set of east-west games open in the majors today and the two focal points of interest are Crosley Field, Cincinnati, and Yam kee Stadium, New York.
 At Crosley Field the pace-l1aking Brooklyn Dodgers tangle with the world champion Reds. At Yankee Stadium the front-running Cleve- land Indians meet the sputtering Yankees.
 For the Reds, the two-game series with the Dodgers is tremendously important. Right now the Reds arc very close to being panic stricken. Only Bill McKechnie's steady guid- ing hand keeps some of the boys from going completely to pieces. They can't do anything right and have begun to worry about 1t.
 The Reds chronic batting slump has placed such heavy burden on the pitching and elding that one bad pitched ball or one error can cost the world champs a ball game. The Reds have lost eight of their last 12 games, largely through feeble hit- ting. In 9 games this season the Reds have made only T. runs and 162 hits, or an average of three runs and seven hits per game. You have to go all the way back to April 26 to find a game where Cincinnati has made as many as nine hits. In their eight most recent games the Reds have garnered only fl hits, or a fraction over five per game. It's a wonder the Reds aren't in the cellar with that kind of hitting. In fact, the Reds are closer to the cellar with that kind of hitting. Tn fact, the Reds are closer to the cellar (only 3 1-2 games away than they are to second place seven games back).
 Aces To Pitch
 McKechnie will shoot Bucky Walters and Paul Derirnger at the Dodgers today and tomorrow, hop ing to sweep the series and give the Reds the shot in the arm they need 50 badly.
 Tho Indians, after running off Il straight, have lost five of their last seven and have been showing trouble in the pitching box, supposedly Cleveland's most formidable depart- ment. Roger Peckinpaugh has had to call on 19 pitchers in the tribes last seven games, and hasn't had Q starter go the route since Bob Teller pitched a three hitter against Wash- ington May s.
 The Tanks knocked off the ndi- ans twice hand-running on their recent visit to Cleveland, routing Al Milnar and Al Smith. Manager Joe Mccarthy has saved his two top pitchers, Marius Russo and Ernie Bonham, to fling at the Indians. Bob Teller, who was blasted out by the Browns in his last start, will at- tempt to send the indians away winging on their eastern trip which is likely to have considerable ef- feet on the Tribes mental attitude.
 Gomez Wild
 The Red Sox reduced the Indians lead to ? Ia games yesterday by belting the Yankees, 8-4. Lefty Grove gave up 10 hits but frightened in the clutches to win his 295th major vlc- tory. Lefty Gomez's wildness pre- pared his downfall. Jimmy Foxx homered with two on.
 Washington won It's first start Of the season from the Athletics, 5-l, and regained sixth place. Dutch Leonard took his third straight game, holding the As to six hits. Jim Vernon's homer tied the score and four successive hits produced a four run rally in the Washington fourth.
 Monte Pearsons first start for the Reds proved terrific flop. The Cubs knocked him out in the second inning and went on to trim Cincin- natl, l2-1. Bill Lee allowed the champs only six hits while pearson gave five walks and two hits In 1 1-3 innings.
 Lon Warneke won his fourth straight as the Cardinals beat the Pirates, 6-2, Whaling three Pitts burgh pitchers for 13 hits. Jimmy Brown and Gus Mancuso made three hits each.