The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-05-31
MEL OFT BATS
GIANTS into
FIRST DIVISION
BY GLENN PERKINS
United Press Staff Correspondent

united Press STAN correspondent
New York, May 81 - (U.P) Mel
OFT had his New York Giants back
In the National Leagues first divi-
sion today, largely through the
power OF his own bat.
Mighty Mel, one Of the most pop
ular players ever to don uniform,
has worked himself into a perma-
nent spot in the hearts Of New York
baseball lovers and enhanced his
popularity yesterday when he clout-
ed three home runs, two in the first
game Of the Memorial Day double
header, and one in the second, The
home runs provided the Giants with
the margins necessary to turn back
the Chicago Cubs.
Takes II. r. Lead
OFT, In the goth season with the
only club he ever has played for,
brought his 1914 total of homers to
10, two more than his closest COM
petitor in either league. In the first
game both circuit blows came with
a mate abase as the Giants won
GA Harry Feldman went the route
to receive credit for the triumph,
Ewald Pyle won the second, ga as
OFT hit his sixth homer in four days.
Cub errors plus some timely hitting
by other Giants accounted for the
victory.
Feast or famine prevailed
throughout the day as only one split
In the eighth twin bills was recorded
That occurred at Boston where the
Braves defeated the league leading
st. Louis Cardinals, 10, in the
opener on a four hit pitching job
by Nate Andrews. Tommy Holmes
eighth inning homer accounted for
the scoring The Cards came back
in the second, however, with an 10
hit attack that Melted a 1873 victory
Harry Brecheen was the winning
pitcher
Brooklyn moved into a fourth
place tie with the Giants by de-
feating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5
and 4-3. The double defeat dropped
the BUGS to third place. Yves Flow
ers and Hal Gregg were the winning
pitchers, Gregg getting an assist
from the veteran Curt Davis who
quelled a ninth inning rally by the
BUGS in the nightcap.
The Cincinnati Reds went back
into second place with 4-3 and IA
decisions over the Philadelphia Phil
lies. Arnold Carter made his first
start in the opener and notched the
decision.
A 10 hit attack, which returned
three runs in the third and four in
the fifth innings gave Clyde Shoun
an easy triumph in the second game.
The st. Louis Browns drew within
half a game of the American League
leading New York Yankees by TAX
ing a pair from the Washington
Senators. Two three run innings in
the opener provided Nelson Potter
with his fifth victory as the Browns
won, Ga. A three run fourth in
ming in the nightcap gave Tex Shir-
ley all the lead he needed but the
Browns added another in the
seventh to win, Az.
The Detroit Tigers handed the
yankees a double defeat, 81 and
Al. Dizzy Trout won his own game
IN the opener when he homered in
the ninth inning to break a IL tie
ana best Ernie Bonham in a pitch
ing duel. Hal Newhouser pitched
seven hit ball to cop the nightcap.
Indians Take Two
The Cleveland Indians shook of
their doubleheader "jlnx". winning
their hrst one of the season. 9-3
and 4-3 over the Boston Red Sox.
Mel Harder pitched his fifth victory
OF the season and 202nd OF his ma
Jor league career in the opener. A
SIX run sixth inning clinched the
game. Allie Reynolds went the route
Tor the first time this year In win
ming the second. He allowed seven
hits and won when Yank Terry
seventh.
The Chicago White Sox snapped a
three-game losing streak by nick
ing the Philadelphia Athletics twice
bel IN the first and 81 In the Sec
ono. Bobo Newsom outpitched Bill
Dietrich In the first, six hits to II,
but the bespecetacled Chicagoar
scattered his to win the decision.
Orval Grove allowed but six safe.
ties. one Ford Garrison's homer, TO
notch the finale.
YESTERDAYS STAR - Mel OFT.
manager OF the New York Giants.
VINO hit tire homers TO take over
the major league lead In that de-
partment and TO supply the margin.