The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-09-23
WAKEFIELDBAT DRIVING DETROIT
 INTO SERIES
nx aLEN PERKINs

(Unkteu Press Stan CorroBpOndont)
 New York, eSpt. 2S-(Up) Stop us if you've heard this one before but it became increasingly ap- parent today. that the Detroit Tigers might not De atop the American league if 1t weren't for Dead Eye" Dick Wakefield.
 Dreadful Dlck--dreadful to Am. erlcan league pltchers--jolned the Bengals July i3 when they were in seventh place, eight games of the pace then being set by the st. Louis Browns. Since then, wakefield has convinced owner Walter Briggs that the Sb2000 the Tiger paid for him when he was still on the University of Michigan campus, was Q gilt edged investment.
 The Wakefield bat has been used as Q jack handle in holstlng the Tigers to first place and Dicks pre- sence gives the Tigers the most feared one-two punch in baseball, Pitchers no longer can afford to pass Rudy York because such action Is akin jumping from frying pan to flre," for Wakefield bats behind York.
 Four Run Homer
 Yesterday Wakefield was big factor in the Tigers double victory over the Boston Red SoX. Tn the first game he brought them from behind with grand slam homer in the fifth inning to give Rufo Gen. try more than enough margin for Q 7.4 victory. It was one of Wake- fields two hits and kept his aver. age lowering near the 800 mark for his last 60 times at bat. Tn the fiightcap he scored a run that as- sisted in the Tigers 0-8 triumph, Walter (Boom Boom) Beck, who came on in relief in the eighth in- nings, started a rally that gave him credit for the triumph.
 The St. Louis Browns stayed ifi the thick of the pennant chase by beating the Philadelphia Athletics 4-2 but dropped e half game farther back because of Detroits double win. The Browns, Q game behind the Bengals, were outhlt ii-9 but timed their extra base blows per. fectly to drive in runs. A two run triple by Don 0utteridRo in the third put St, Louis ahead to stay. Bob Munerief, who worked the first six innings was the winner. His re. lief, Sig jakucki. retired the last six men in order. Bobo Newsom was the loser.
 The New York Yankees held their spot aS c contender in third place, three and Q half games of tho pace, by beating the Cleveland Tn. dlanS 7.3. Five unearned runs in the ninth Inning, scored after Roy Cullenbine nuffed Bud Mctheny's fly, accounted for the victory, the 18th for Ernie Bonhafn.
 Chicago and Washington were not scheduled.
 Giants Skid
 Tn the National, the Chicago Cubs virtually cllnched . first division berth as they defeated the New York Giants Sci to sweep c three game series with the contending Ottmen. The triumph gave the fourth place Cubs c six and c half BhHlU mHFSHl OVVE bAiO HUI OpVb New Workers. Hank Wyse, pitch. Ing six-hit ball, had . shutout spoiled in tho ninth when Bruce Sloan hit his first major league homer.
 Tn the only other game scheduled the Boston Braves trounced the league champion g.. Louis Cardinals li-2. By compiling 24 bases from i4 hits to hand Max Larier his seventh consecutive losS. Nate Andrews won his i4th decision ofi e seven hitter,
 YEBTERDAY'R STAR - Dick Wakefield whose grand slam" homer paced the leading Detroit Tigers to the first of their two wins oyer Boston.
 ginia Grey.