The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-08-18
PITTSBURCH'S FUTILE DRIVE
 AT il GAMES
BY GLEN PERKINS

New York. Aug. ls--CUP)-Maybe it's like trying to bring down a Fly. Ing fortress with a bean bag, but for whatever it's worth, the Pitts. burgh Pirates are moving at even a faster clip these days than the St. Louis Cardinals.
 The experts are calling it the sea. sons most futile winning streak. but the Pirates have run up n victories ln TOW and even though they are still i7h games behind the race setting Cards, they are playing as though every game was the pennant clincher.
 Yesterday was a good example. They defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in a double header. 2 Co c and 6 to s. putting on late squeeze" rallies to win both games. An eighth inning triple by Bob Elliott brought home Johnny Barrett with the win- ming run in the opener. while Pete Coscarart singled home pitcher Nick Strincevich with the run that broke up the second gan in the 10th. Rec lief pitchers gaineg credit for both victories, xavie. Rescigno winning the opener and Strincevich the sec- ond.
 The plight of the Pirates in try- ing to accomplish the impossible" at this late juncture. simply em- phasizes the status Of the Cards. who are bidding for the best won and lost record of any team in Ma. tional League history.
 The Cards won their second straight shutout from the New York Giants. 2 to o last night. for their a0th victory in their last go. By wtn- ming, they maintained pace ahead of the Chicago Cubs Of 1906. who hold the major league record for games won in a seas0n--li6 out ot i5a. The Cards won their 8ist game, whereas the Cubs of 1906 did not win their 8ist game until Aug. 2i. Playing the same brand Of ball in their remaining 45 games. the Cards can set a new major league mark for games won.
 Last nights triumph was all Max Lanier's. It was the 18th victory for the lefty. more than any he mas won in a single previous season m either the majors or the minors. and his fifth shutout. Moreover, it was his ninth straight triumph, a five hitter, in which no player reached second until the ninth when he walked two men. his only passes O. the game.
 The Boston Braves overwhelmed the Cubs at Chicago with nVe run rally in the fifth and went on to win I to s. Both sides hit freely, the Braves getting IS hits. the Cubs is. Jim Tolbin gained credit for his 18th win.
 The Brooklyn at Cincinnati game in the National was rained out.
 The St. Louis Browns increased their first place margin to seven full games in the American, the greatest they have enjoyed thus lar, by beating the Athletics at Philadel- phia. 10 to s, The Browns made l5 hits. with Vern Stephens getting his 18th homer to tie Bobby D0err of the Red S0x for the league lead. Nelson Potter, with relief help from George Caster won his 18th game.
 Johnny Llndell tied an American league record with four doubles tn Daclng the Yankees to a 10 to yle- tory over Cleveland at New York, The Yanks made IT hits to bring their two day total to 36. with Walt Dublel winning easily. Every Yankee player made at least one hit.
 Detroit and Boston reached a B. all stalemate in their important series for second place in the Red Roy park, rain ending the game af' ter i've innings.
 Washington last its second ] to 0 game in three days. the Chicago White sOy winning in the ninth on long fly by Hal Trosky which sent Guy Curtrlght home from third. Bill Dietrich gave up five hits to six yielded by Mickey Haefner of the Senators. The game was at Wash' ington.