The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-03
HAVE WON 54 GAMES, LOST 27
 AFTER ARMY
By CARL LUNDQUIsT

Limited Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Aug. 3.-(UP)-n the record of eight pitchers who have returned from military service to the majors this season is any cri- terion, it's time to quit worrying about G.I. Joe making the grade when he doffs khaki and dons fian- nell.
 Each of the eight was in the service last year and some came back after the current season began. six of them have won more games than they have lost and collectively they have picked up 54 victories against 27 defeats for a .667 per- centage. That's better than the first place percentage of the Chi cago Cubs and Detroit Tigers in their respective leagues, and it isn't unreasonable to assume that if they were all on the same club they could win the flag without difficulty.
 The four in the American league are Dave (Boo) Ferriss of the Red Sox Q7-D, Al Benton (10-0 and Les Mueller (3-4) both of the Tigers, and Charley ReO Ruffing of the Yankees (2-O). The National league returning mound vets are Van Lin- gle Mungo (11-5) and Jack Brewer (4-3) both of the Giants, Jack Kraus of the Pnillies (2-2) and Vic Lor1- bardi of the Dodgers (5-D.
 Two of them came through again yesterday.
 Benton, the Tiger right handler, who may set a new major league earned run mark, gained his 10th victory and his fifth shutout, 6 to 0, over the Browns at Detroit. Ed dde Mayo's two home runs gave Benton all the margin he needed to fashion seven-hit game. He has not yielded more than two runs in any of the games he has pitched. Out for more than a month with a broken leg, he appears to be as effective as ever now.
 Ruff1ng, the lion- hearted red- head of the great pre-war Yankees, won his second straight game since coming back from two years in the Army by beating the Red Sox at Boston, 3 to l. Nick Etten set up the victory with a three-run first inning homer. The only Boston run was unearned. It was New York's eighth victory in Il games.
 The Washington Nationals, win- ming their second straight double header at home moved into sole possession of second place with a couple of to victories over the Athletics. Mickey Haefner, pitch ing a four-hitter, broke up his own game by singling in the winning run in the ninth in the opener. Marine Pieretti had an edge over Steve Gerkin in the second game duel to hand the As rookie his 18th defeat without a win this year.
 Pat Seerey, whose speciality is grand slam" homers, delivered one to highlignt an eight-run third in- ming for the Indians, who beat the White Sox, 13 to 2, at Cleve-' land. The victory moved Cleve- land into fifth ahead of Chicago. The Indians made IT hits and the White Sox IS in the batting melee.
 Chicago's Cubs went five and a half games ahead in the National with a reverse" 1 to 0 victory over the Pirates to counter their defeat by the same score on the day before. Big Paul Derringer, pitching his best game of the sea- son, gave up only three hits, two to Frank Colman. Harry Isowrey produced the only run with double which scored Don Johnson in the sixth. It was Derringer's 18th win.
 There were no other National league games scheduled.
 YESTERDAYS STAR - Alton Benton of the Tigers, who pitched his fifth shutout. a 6 to job over the Browns for his 10th victory against two losses.
 Parvia. 14O Boston (3); Frank Per- ", 138. Boston, technically knocked out Young Tuffy, 135, Fall River (D; Barry Wood. 121, Worcester de-