The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-14
DODGERS NEAR
 TOP, so RICKEY
 BACKS THE LIP
BY CARL LUNDQUIST yrnited preSS Staff COrrespOndent

United Press Staff correspondent
 New York, June IA = (UP) - Dodger president Branch Rickey's statement supporting his peppery pilot, Leo Durocher, indicated today that he either has had change of sentiment or that he definitely doesn't want to break up winning combination.
 Maybe the fact that the Dodgers are riding a winning wave and that they are just half game out of first place had something to do with Rickey's confidence in Durocher at time when he is involved in court action for allegedly slugging and breaking the jaw of critical fan.
 At any rate the Dodgers are hust- ling as they haven't since they beat the Cardinals out of the pennant in 1941 and Rickey'S statement that when our men are in trouble, we will stand by them" is the staunch- est backing he has given Durocher since taking over operation of the club shortly before the 1943 season. Maybe it isn't coincidence either.
 From the start of his regime Hickey indicated he wasn't too keen on the boisterous Duroucher and it was significant he never gave him more than a one-year contract as manager. Often he was openly crit ical of Durocher's actions both on and off the field, censuring him for permitting high-stake card playing among the players, questioning his tactics after clubhouse rebellion in 1943 and telling him flatly this spring that his job as manager came first and l. other activities inter- fered he would have to give 1t up.
 But Ricl:ey, shrewd business man, likes a winner and the miracle of the current motley crey being barely behind the leading Giants may have convinced him that Dur ocher is an outstanding manager.
 The Dodgers. almost unanimously picked for a lower second division finish, were at the peak of their current winning wave of five straight and six wins in the last seven games, when downing the Giants, 3 to 2, last night. Hal Gregg, pitching a five-hitter, won his eighth game. The Giants, drop ping their second straight to the Dodgers have lost five in row and nine of the last 10. The usually weak hitting Eddie Basinski. who drove in two runs with single and double, paced the attack against Harry Feldman.
 It took the Phillies' 15-innings in the second game of double head CT at Boston to end their l6-game losing streak, winning to 1 after the Braves had won their ninth straight with an to victory in the opener. Mort Cooper pitched his second victory in four days in the opener for his sixth of the sea- son without loss. Tommy Holmes got Boston homer and Walter Flager hit one for the Phils. Rene Monteagudo scored two runs on single for the Phils in the 18th and the Braves added one in their half which wasn't enough. Dick Barrett came back to win the second game after losing the first, relieving both times.
 The Cards raised their world championship flag at St. Louis be- fore commissioner Albert (Happy) Chandler, then dropped their game to the Reds, 2 to l. Castoff Joe Bowman won his third straight since being waived out of the Amer ican League by the Red Sox. He had a seven-hit shutout until an error in the ninth gave the Cards their only run. The victory ended a five game Red losing streak.
 Rudy York came out Of pro- longed slump with three hits, in- cluding a homer, to lead the Tigers to a to victory over the Browns at Detroit. The victory increased their league lead over the Yankees to a game. Even more cheering than York's power display was the news that Capt. Hank Greenberg, premier Tiger slugger, soon may be dis charged from the Army. Forrest Orrel, with relief help, was the win ner and Nelson Potter the loser. Joe Hoover of Detroit and George McQuinn of the Browns also hit homers.
 The White Sox made some timely hits off Cleveland ace, Steve Gro- mek. to beat him, 5 to 3, at Chicago as Joe Haynes scattered IA hits. Case Michaels, with long fly and his first big league homer, drove in two Chicago runs.
 Boston at Philadelphia in the American was postponed and the other teams were not scheduled.
 STERD ATS STAR-Rudy York, Tiger slugger, who came out