The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-02
TOMMY HOLMES RUNS HITTING
 STRING TO 2S
By CARL LUNDoU1sr

NcW xOrk, July (UsP.) - When the big fellow walked to the plate and 47,729 Detroit fans shook the Stadium with their cheers, he knew he was at "home'' again = in more ways than one.
 This was the life Hank Greenberg dreamed about when he gave up a $55,000 year job with the Tigers to become at $21 month private in Uncle Sans Army, the first major league player to enlist in World War II. Now back at "home'' plate. where his spiked shoes had printed the final stride on dozens of boom- ing homers, he was ready to resume his career after four year time out" for a war.
 Unsurpassed Reception
 The cheers that greeted him in a reception unsurpassed at Briggs Stadium yesterday were more in ap- preciation for what the good-look- ing Jewish boy from New York's Bronx had done for his country than for the homer the fans hoped he would hit. And Breenberg, who rose from private to captain before getting an honorable discharge, felt tug at his throat, a blur in his eyes.
 That first time up he didn't hit a homer, but before the game was over he rewarded the faithful by sending whistling liner into the the lower left field stands to give him round trip ticket to home"
 It was big day all around for Detroit. Winning two from the hap less Athletics, g to and 5 to 3. while the Yankees dropped two to the White Sox, the Tigers now lead by three and half games in the American. Ace Pitcher Alton Ben. ton also returned, working two scoreless relief innings after being out since May with a broken leg, Paul CDizzy) Trout, with Benton's help, came out of a slump to win his eighth game. Frank Overmire outpitched Russ Christopher, the As ace, as Greenberg sat out the second game. Rudy York also hit a nrst game Tiger homer. The As now have lost 13 straight.
 The Yankees lost, II to 4 and 6 to ), at Chicago, the White Sox at- tacking Hank Borowy in a first game fifth inning rally that netted nine runs. A three-run eighth in- ming splurge sewed up the second. thornton Lee and Bill Dietrich were the Chicago winners.
 Dave Ferriss of the Red Sox won ms first game in relief, taking over when Mike Ryba developed a sore arm in the eighth to win his 18th game, to 4 after the Browns won the flrst game at St. Louis, 2 to B. Ferriss was lucky to win. yielding two runs, but the Red Sox came pack to score five in the ninth. The Browns came from behind to win the opener for Bob Muncrief, their sunday pitcher, who gained his fourth triumph. Gene Moore hit d second game homer for the Browns
 Lou Boudreau's two-run homer in the ninth game the Indians A S to 3 win after Washington won the opener, also by a 6 to 5 score at Cleveland. Emil Leonard of Wash ;ngton and Allie Reynolds of Cleve- !ana each won their eighth game. Mel Harder, making his first start in his 18th year with Cleveland, was knocked out in the opener.
 The Braves retarded the pennant- bidding Cardinals at Boston. win ming, 6 to and 8 to 2. Homers told the story in each game. Elmer tButch) Nieman broke up the opener Tn the 10th with a three-run pinch nit homer to give Morton Cooper A victory over his old mates after two innings of relief. Three homers bv Tommy Holmes ran his consecutive game hitting streak to 28. Chuck workman also hit a second game homer in which Joe Medwick saved the victory for Pitcher Jim Tobin with a sensational throw to the plate to out of the tying run in the ninth.
 The Dodgers ran their lead to four ana a half games by sharing with the Pirates at Brooklyn, losing 4 to 3, then winning, 4 to ?. A three run ninth inning rally fell short in the opener which Elwin (Preacher) Roe won despite the fact that Brooklyn made IA hits. Steady six nit pitching by Curt Davis gave the Dodgers the second game.
 Chapman Happy
 Ben Chapman had one happy sunday at least as new manager Of the Phils when they upset the Reds at Philadelphia, 3 to 9 and 8 | to 6. Injuries in the fifth inning of | the first game called Frank Mo Cormick, who suffered a broken nose when hit by a thrown ball | and Eddie Miller, who was spiked | m the knee. Joe Bowman lost his hrst game in the opener after win hing five since coming to the Reds rom the Red Sox.
 The Giants and Cubs split at New York. A l6-hit attack of four pitchers gave New York the opener, to 4. Timely hitting by Andy 9afko and Harry Lowrey gave the Cubs the second game, { to 3. Pafko | lit a single and an inside. the park homer to drive in two runs and | lowry drove in the other two with m eighth inning single.
 Yesterdays star-Toimmy Holmes, eading National League batter, gho boosted his average to .3e7, hit hfee homers and a single, and ran |