The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-13
FLEMING LOOMS
 AS POSSIBLE
 BATTING CHAMP
Cleveland Rookie Has Been Sensational; Browns,
 Halt Red SOx Drive
BY PAUL sCHEFFELs

United Press Stan Correspondent
 New York, July 13. (UP)-ThG strain of competition down thG stretch has been the undoing ot many a likely-looking rookie, from the robust manner in which Cleves lands less Fleming is falling Amer. ican League pitching, he's not only beginning to look like the outstand- ing frst-year success but . definite threat for the batting title.
 His .322 batting average today k .022 points behind Boston's pace setting Ted Williams but the Red Box Stringbean's rise has been er- ratio in contrast to Fleming's steady climb.
 The stocky Texan wasn't picked for the junior loops all-star squad even though he was near the top in the batting race and not another first baseman was above 300, but the snub has only brought him added acclaim. Apparently he was given the managers quick brush" annually accorded most rockies who hits major league pitching hard during the early weeks.
 Was 400 Hitter
 Fleming has continued to hit so well against all manner of pitching from knuckle-balls to sliders and back, That his 1941 minor league average of .4l4 is beginning to be accepted as a true index of his ability and the possibility that he may win the batting title is not re- mote. Look at what he did yester. day when Cleveland conquered Washington, or Gin 10 innings), and 5-0.
 He hit double and triple and scored once in the first game, and hit a homer and single, drove in three runs and scored one in the nightcap. Ken Keltner's single, Jeff Heath's triple and Fleming's double drove home the decisive runs in the opener. Jim Bagby scattered eight hits for his 10th win in the after piece.
 Detroit spotted the Yankees & three-run lead and then scored a GA triumph in the first game but Buddy Hassett's homer with one on in the 18th gave the Lankees 3-1 victory and an even break in the nightcap.
 Red SOx Slip
 St. Louis set the runner-up BoS- ton Red Box back 4 1-2 games be- ktva@ f1aA Vora1nn@ hxI kVrnrn victories, To and 10-6. Dennis Gale house stopped Boston with eight hits in the first contest and the Browns belted two pitchers for six runs in the ninth inning to cinch the nightcap.
 The Chicago White Sox divided with the Philadelphia Athletics. The As garnered the opener, 3-2. Dick Sieberg singling home the winning run but Chicago clubbed out an 1l-1 triumph in the nightcap.
 In the National league, the Cardi- nals cut the Dodgers lead to eight games by beating the Braves 5-l and 9-3 while Brooklyn divided with Pittsburgh. Harry Gumbert pitched his best game of the year. holding Boston to two hits in the first game. St. Louis slammed over six runs in the fourth inning to ice the nightcap.
 Ten in a Row
 Larry French won his 10th straight game for the Dodgers, who beat the Pirates, .2-1 in the opener. French allowed three hits and Joe Medwtck won the game with single in the eighth. Pittsburgh pushed over four runs in the eighth inning of the nightcap to win, 6-4
 Cincinnati clipped the Phils, 20 and 2-l. Johnny Wander Nicer famed 13 in the first game and pitched a three-hitter. He has now whiffed 90 In 131 innings this year Lonnie Frey drove in both runs in the nightcap and Elmer Riddle wor his third decision.
 New York split with the Cubs Lon Warneke, making his first start for the Bruins. was blasted for flvA runs and six hits in the third aS the Giants won the first. 6-2. Her man Bithorn scattered nine hits and the Cubs took the nightcap, 8-3.
 YESTERDAYS STAR-I,es F1em> ing, who collected four hits, scored twO r1Inz and drnvN fy1 H11Y>AA Ma