The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-20
YANKEES DROP
 3 IN A ROW IN
 MARKED SLUMP
Veteran Harder Handcuffs World Champs; P. Waner
 Hits 5000; Reds Hot
By GEORGE KIRKsEY
'ss Staff COrrespondent)

United Press Staff COrrespondent)
 New York, June 20-(UP)-The state of affairs is not yet alarming but the New York Yankees are in 8 terrific slump. For the first time this season they've lost three games in row. Their lead has been trim med down to seven and a half games.
 The matter with the Tanks is that they're not hitting. Mel Harder held them to four measly hits last night and he pitched the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 victory before g crowd of 2l,736 at Cleveland's num- icipal Stadium.
 It was the second straight game in which the Tanks had made only four hits and in the game before those two they made only five. Tn their last six games the Tanks have averaged only six hits. Strange days have come upon the club that once boasted such devastating sluggers as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Bob Meusel, etc.
 And the slumpingest Yankee of all is Joe DiMgagio, who can't buy base hit. He went down on strikes three times last night for the first time in his major league career. He hasn't made a hit in three games.
 Too Many Walks
 Lefty Gomez. gave the Indians only five hits, but he handed out six passes, which, combined with Oris Hockett's triple and homer, helped beat. Phil Rizzuto's first homer of the year with Bill Dickey on &C., counted for two Yankee runs.
 The Boston Red Sox moved with ih hailing distance of the Tanks by zlanging the Chicago White Sox, l. O, before 12,938 at Comiskey Park last night. Dom DiMaggio's inside homer decided 1t. Edgar Smith lost l another tough decision-his 11th against one win-giving out eight l passes. The Red Sox had 13 men left on base.
 Brooklyn took more starch out of the Cardinals with another lick ing, 4-3, before 29,729 fans in a day game at Ebbets field. Whit Wyatt | pitcher his seventh victory and | fifth in row. Johnny Rizzo's homer wiht one on off Ernie White was the big punch. Then Pete Reiser stole home in the fourth-an ming | in which White famed the side. Reiser singled, made a fake motion to go to escond and Harry Walker threw the ball admost into the dug out. Reiser wound up at third and stole home before White famed Rizzo to end the inning.
 Johnny Niggeling turned in a four-hit, 40 victory for the St. Louis Brown over the Philadelphia Athletics before 4,912 at St. Louis night game. Mike Chartak homered for the Browns.
 Tn the only day American league game the Detroit Tigers beat the Washington Senators, 5-1. Hal White pitched siX-hitter. Barney McCosky made thre hits.
 Reds 'IHOt"
 Bucky Walters scored his seventh victory and the Cincinnati Reds won their fifth straight by defeat- ing the Phils, 6-4, before 6,074 at Philadelphia last night. Gee Walk CTS homer with two on won the game.
 The Cubs and Giants broke even, Chicago winning the opener, "A, when Mad Russian Lou Novikofr out homer, triple and two singles, and New York the night cap, 6-5, on Johnny Mixes second homer of the day.
 Despite Paul Waner6 3,000th hit, battied to a 7-6 triumph over the Braves in an Thinning game. Bob Elliott'ss second homer of the game with two on was the payoff punch.