The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-09-11
Pitching and Defense Has Been Hot for Past 15 Comes
RiVoIs Got
 Less Than 6 Hits,2 Runs

New York, Sept. 11-(UP)-There are shortages of many things in the big town today because of the truck and shipping strikes. but the chief complaint of visiting bell players Is the niggardly ration of base hits they are getting of Brooklyn Dodger pitchers.
 In the past IS games Dodger hurlers have permitted opposing batters just 86 hits for an average of 5.73 per contest. That is the low est mark for any similar stretch by a major league pitching staff this season and is permitting the Dodgers to win the close low run ball games that are so vital as they gird for their "payoh series" with the St. Louis Cardinals starting Thursday. During those 15 games, the Dodger opposition has made but 30 runs for an average of two per contest.
 At the same time the Cardinal pitching staff, also rated as highly efficient has given up 142 hits in IS games for an average of 9.05 and a total of 59 runs, nearly four a game or about twice as many as Dodger opponents have chalked up.
 Melton Turns Trick
 Rangy Rube Melton turned in the latest superlative job for the Dodgers yesterday when he blanked the Reds, to 0 on three hits for his fifth victory. It was the sixth straight triumph for Brooklyn and the ninth in the last 10 games. Mel ton might have had 1t easier if he had chosen to do so, since Brooklyn took a 3 to 0 lead in the first inn ing on rookie Ed Stevens double with the bases loaded. The Dodgers made 10 hits including triples by Augie Galan, Ed Stanky and Gene Hermansh, and doubles by Stevens, Galan and Bruce Edwards.
 The Cardinals maintained their two game first place margin by win ming to at Philadelphia as Lefty Harry Brecheen pitched a six-hit- ter. Like Melton, Breecheen also received a 3 to 0 first inning lead when the Cards put together singles by Al Schoendienst and Harry Walker, a scoring fly by Stan Mu- sial, a triple by George Kurowski and single by Dick Sisler.
 It was a sad day for the once- mighty Yankees who dropped 4 to 2 decision at Cleveland and thereby lost their last mathematical chance to catch the first place Bos- ton Red Sox in the American League. Steve Gromek, who has lost IA games, found the Tanks soft touch in their hour of ignominy, holding them to five hits as right handed ace Spud Chandler lost his eighth game. Don Ross drove in three Cleveland runs with homer and a bases-loaded single. Tommy Henrich honered for New York.
 Tigers Check Sox
 At Detroit, the Tigers played as if they instead of the Red Sox were about to clinch the pennant, trounc- ing Boston. g to 1 as Dick Wake field and Hank Greenberg hit homers to lead a 14-hit attack on four pitchers. Freddie Hutchinson would have had shutout but for tremendous home run by Ted Will Hams. The Red Sox could have sewed up the flag by winning. but the Tigers, who took over second place, still have mathematical chance.
 Shorty Marine Pieretti, making his first 1946 start, pitched Wash ington to a to 2 victory at Chi cago as Gerald Priddy hit two homers. The White Sox made only four hits.
 The Browns topped the Athletics, to at St. Louis, rookie Cliff Fan min pitching an eight-hitter and batting in two runs. Jeff Heath made three hits for St. Louis.
 Rookie Johnny Sain won his 17th game at Boston, topping the Chi cago Cubs, 10 to 2 as the Braves moved to within 3 1-2 games of third place. Sain helped his own cause by driving in three runs.
 The Pirates drew first blood in the Battle of the Basement" by defeating the Giants, T to 4 at New York to move within four percent age points of seventh place. Relief pitcher Al Gerheauser gained the victory.
 YESTERDAYS STAR-Dick
 Wakefield of Detroit vho forced