The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-05-04
N.L.PHILL|ES
SURPRISE IN
EARLY SEASON
BY GLEN PERKINS
United Press Staff Correspondent

New York, May A. (UP) The
Philadelphia Phillies. doormat of
the National League for so long
that 1t caused considerable surprise
last year when they rose to the
heights" Of seventh place, were the
talk Of the circuit today.
The Phillies have been winning
with heads-up baseball - a good
enough brand to put them into q
second place tie with the usually
strong Cincinnati Reds.
Good pitching has been the key
word to the Phillies' success against
the Eastern clubs of the senior cir
cult. In the eight games the Quakers
have won, their pitchers have aver
aged only six and a half hits per
game, and Of the four they have
lost-two by one run margins and
both in extra innings-they have
received only one poorly pitched
ball game. The hurting department
has, indeed, been a credit to mana
ger Freddie Fftzsimmons, something
Of hurler himself in his playing
days.
OFT The SpOiler
Yesterday the Pills defeated the
New York Giants IL behind the
five-hit pitching of big Bill Lee. Lee
had shutout until two were out In
the ninth when manager Mel OFT,
of the New Workers, connected for
his third home run. The Phils
trumped Ace Adams, the first of
four Giant hurlers, for five Of their
runs.
The debut of Roy lizard Rock
johnson as manager protein of the
Chicago Cubs was disappointing to
Bruin fans as the Cincinnati Reds
laid down l7-hit barrage against
three Chicago hurlers to win, l0-4
johnson, acting manager succeeding
the resigned Jimmy Wilson, got the
Bruins off to a two run lead in the
first inning but they were unable
to protect 1t and lost their 10th sue
cessive game.
Tommy De Lacruz went the route
for the Reds to win and Paul Der
ringer was charged with the loss.
The Brooklyn Dodgers scored
three runs in the ninth frame to
beat the Boston Braves, AS. Two
errors by Boston infielders in the
ninth and Augie Galan's double tied
the count. Lloyd Waner's pinch hit
squeeze bunt brought home the win
ming run. Hal Gregg. who pitched
the ninth inning, was the winner,
Nate Adrews the loser.
Harry Gumbert limited the Pitts
burgh Pirates to four hits as the st.
Louis Cardinals regained their win
ming ways to triumph, ST.. Truett
(Rip) Sewell, winner Of 81 games for
the BUGS last year. allowed six hits.
two of them homers by Whitley Kur-
owski, to suffer the loss.
In the American League, Mel
Harder, dean of the Cleveland In
dams pitching staff. acquired his
199th Major League victory and Sec
ond Of the year as the tribe trounced
the Chicago White Sox, "a. Harder,
only active Major Lacquer with a
chance to gain the select 200 games
won circle, allowed seven hits. Lee
Ross was charged with the loss.
Three For Hank
The New York Yankees gained
their fourth successive victory. de-
feating the Philadelphia Athletics
3-l behind the six hit hurting of
Hank Borowy. Fordham Hank re-
corded his 18th successive win and
third of the campaign while Luke
(Hot Potato) Hamlin was debited.
Right handler Jack Kramer be-
came the first hurler to achieve
four triumphs as the st. Louis
Browns trimmed the Detroit Tigers
ia. Five runs in the fourth inning
sent Dizzy Trout to the showers with
the loss.
Manager Joe Cronin's home run
In the eighth inning provided the
Boston Red Sox with an lilo VIC
tory over the Washington Senators
in Suggest. Mike Ryba. third Bos-
ton hurler was the winner and Milo
Candini. second OF four Washing
ton twirlers, was the loser.
YESTERDAYS STAR-Mel Hard
er, only active hurler with q chance
to gain his 200th Major League
triumph. who annexed his iooth as
Cleveland defeated Chicago.