Evening star., 1947-07-12
18Th Straight Victory
Puts Blackwell Near
Several Marks
By Jack Hand
Assoeioted Press Sports Writer

Ewell Blackwell of Cincinnati is
taking dead aim on a place among
the National Leagues modern day
pitching greats with a 13-game win
streak that has been surpassed by
only four hurlers in the older cir
cult since 1900.
The all-time record Of 10 in q
row, held jointly by Rube Marquard
In 1912 and Tim Keefe in 1888, both
Of the New York Nationals, still Is
safe but other marks are well within
the reach of the lanky stringbean
from San Dimas, Calf.
+ It Is quite possible for. the side.
arm ace to match the 14-straight
performances of Chicago's Ed Ruel.
bach In 1909 and New York's Iror
Man Joe McGinnity in 1904 if he
can win his next start, tentatively
scheduled for Tuesday Night in
Philadelphia. Dazzy Vance OF
Brooklyn racked up is in 1924 and
Carl Hubbell sewed together q
string Of 16 in 1896 for the New
York Giants.
Not Up to Usual Form.
Even a 30-game winning season
is not beyond the reach Of Black
well, whose Cincinnati Reds have
not yet played half of their 154
games. Manager Johnny Neun has
been starting his ace religiously
every fourth day which could mean
about 20 additional starts. The last
National to hit the 80 mark was
Dizzy Dean of st. Louis in 1884.
"Blacky" was not up to his usua
form in last nights 1915 decision
over Boston as he was nicked for II
hits. However, it was his ninth
straight complete game since June
when he was lifted for pinch hitter
at the Polo Grounds. He complained
Of a sore elbow that day in June but
after four days rest, he came back
better than ever.
En- route to his 15-win total
Blackwell has been knocked out o1
the box only once. Three times he
was lifted for a hitter and Is times
in 10 starts he has gone all the way
The only knockout Job was done by
the Braves, who routed him in the
fourth frame on April 80.
Errors Aid Blackwell.
Six Boston errors helped Blackwell
last night. The Braves infield fell
apart, booting three easy double
play balls in the sixth after Short
stop Sibby Sisti left the game with q
shoulder injury.
Johnny Sain, one of the two to
beat the Cincy star, was the victim
of his own teammates misplays and
the Reds 12-hit attack that included
a pair of triples by Bert Haas.
Brooklyn enjoyed Blackwell's sue
cess at long range, having shut out
Chicago, SO, before the Boston re-
turns were in. The Braves loss and
the Dodger victory upped their Ma
tional League lead to three full
games. Vic lombard, hurting his
first complete game Of the year,
allowed only four hits, but he was
wild.
The st. Louis Cardinals march
through the east was halted by the
New York Giants, who were beaten
4-3 on homers by Del Rice and Ron
Northey in the first game Of a
doubleheader. The Giants over
came a fve-run Cardinal first in
ming with eight in their half and
went on to subdue the Red Birds,
17-9, in a game mercifully halted by
darkness in the eighth.
Billy Cox's four hits high lighted
the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 night
game romp over the Phillies for
Ernie Bonham's seventh success.
The New York Yankees stretched
their win streak to 10, the longest
In the majors this season by subdu-
ing st. Louis, 81.