The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-23
BROWNS HAVE
 WON ' OF il
 GAMES PLAYED
By CARL LUNDQUIsT United Press Stan Correspondent

Wouldn't it be funny if the poor old Browns managed to defend their championship while the high and mighty Cardinals missed out?
 It could happen.
 Although the Browns have been kicked around down in the Amer ican League second division through much of the season, they have "perked up" lately and today are only half game further back in their American League race than the Cardinals are in the National.
 Manager Luke Sewell of the Browns insists that it's too early to count his team out, that it will be much stronger from now on, and that the only thing necessary to put it into the thick of things Is little more hitting to go with line pitch ing.
 Evidence of the improvement is the fact that the Browns have won seven out of Il games on their current road trip, the best out of town showing for them this season. After a bad start at Philadelphia, where the As won three out of four, the Browns won two straight at Washington, two at New York and two out of three at Boston.
 Coming Up
 The Browns split with the Red sox yesterday, moving into fourth place a half game behind the Yankees and only four and half games behind the leading Tigers. Dave Ferriss beat them, to 2, in the opener. It was Ferriss' 17th win against two defeats and both Brown runs were unearned. A single by Johnny Lazor after an error gave Boston the winning run in the ninth. Newman (Tex) Shirley pitch ed a four hitter to give the Browns a 5 to second game victory.
 Meanwhile the Cards were taken over the bumps at St. Louis by the much kidded Dodgers, 3 to 1 and 8 to 2. The Champs have just broken even in IA home games during the current stand in which they were supposed to begin their famous stretch drive. The Dodgers came from behind to win the first game for Hal Gregg, the winning pitcher despite the fact that the sun kay oed him in the eighth. In the second game, Charley Barrett was given his worst beating since joining the Cards, being batted out in a six run first inning rally. The Dodgers kept up the assault on Eldred Eyer ly but didn't score after the second. Louis Olmo hit two triples and a single to bat in three runs in the two games.
 Hal Newhouser won his 18th game for the Tigers, a g to 1 four hitter, but Philadelphia took advantage of an error by Bobby Maier to score two unearned runs and beat Al Ben- ton in the second game, 2 to 1. It was Bentons second loss against eight victories. He gave just three hits in the" six-inning game halted by rain. He has yielded only nine earned runs in 91 innings this sea- son.
 Washington. two and a half games behind the Tigers, failed to gain with to 1 victory and g to 3 defeat against Cleveland. Mickey Haefner singled in his own winning run in the opener. George Binks made four hits for the Sena- tors. It was Haefner's eighth win. Jim Bagby pitched steadily and got solid hitting support to give the Indians the second game.
 Tanks Lose In 12
 The Yankees led by coach Art Fletcher in the absence of Manager Joe Mccarthy, who is i'll, dropped a Thinning thriller to the visiting White Sox, 6 to 5, when Leroy Schalk singled home Wally Moses from second. Thornton Lee, who pitched the last three innings, gained his 11th victory. Nick Etten got a Yankee homer.
 The Cubs gained a full game by splitting with the Phillies. Chicago won, 8 to 5, then lost, II to 6, after blowing a lead. Ray Prim gained the opening victory even though Vince DiMaggio blasted his 18th and i4th homers. In the second game, the Phils put on a 10-run rally in the seventh, routing three pitchers including starter Hank Wyse, who was trying for his l4th victory and his eighth straight. Cincinnati took two from the Giants, 2 to 1, in l3 innings and. II to 5. The double loss dropped the New Workers into the second division. Bucky Walters, going strong now after a slow start, won his fifth straight in the opener. It was the seventh victory in eight extra inning games this year for the Reds. Three singles of Harry Feldman, the last by Woody Will Hams, produced the winning run. Joe Bowman won his eighth game in the nightcap. though the Giants got 12 hits. All Libke got a two- run homer and a triple to pace the Reds l4-hit attack.
 The Pirates replaced the Giants in fourth place with two we'll pitched victories over the Braves at Pittsburgh, 2 to 1 and 3 to l Ken Gables gained the first game victory in the ninth when Jim Tobin weakened. Four hits and a sacrifice fly gave the Pirates both their runs Jack Barrett, who scored the tying run in the opener after singling won the second game with three- run homer. Elwyn (Preacher) Roe was the winning pitcher, allowing only four hits.
 YESTERAY'S STAR - Encore performer Dave Ferriss of the Red Sox. winning his i7th game against two defeats as he beat the Browns 3 to 2. and allowed no earned runs