Cards sweep Jints to clinch 1st place in NL

Polo Grounds

GAME 1

Lanier vs Maglie

Cardinals 8, Giants 2

St. Louis padded their 2-0 lead with 4 huge runs in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to fire off the opening salvo in this big series between 1st and 2nd place teams.  Max Lanier (4-0, 2.16) went 7 and gave up 2.  Jurisich finished out the game with 2 scoreless innings.  Everyone but the pitchers got a hit for the Redbirds.  Catcher Walker Cooper (3-5, 2 RBI) paced the offense.  Mr. Musial was 2 for 5 to boost his average to .387.

GAME 2

Brecheen vs Voiselle

Cardinals 10, Giants 6

Once again New York's bullpen let them down in a big way.  Heading into the 8th the Jints had a 6-4 lead.  The Cards victimized both D.Fisher and Zabala (eventual loser) for 6 runs over the final 2 frames.  Centerfield Johnny Hopp knocked in 4 runs from the leadoff slot going 2 for 4.  Emil Verban was 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored.

GAME 3

Munger vs Feldman

Cardinals 4, Giants 1

A 1-1 tie after 6 innings turned into a 4-1 Cardinal victory thanks to the porous Giant pen once again.  Both Musial and Marty Marion had themselves fine 2 hit days.  The former saw his average rise to .392 with the illusive .400 mark ever so close.

GAME 4

M.Cooper vs Mungo

Cardinals 5, Giants 1

St. Louis finished off the Jints with a road sweep and in the process clinched 1st place in the National League.  The Cardinals are a juggernaut plain and simple.  To beat them, and their fine manager Erik Nelson, one needs to have all the stars in alignment plus a lot of luck.  St. Louis is just that good.  The Giants hung around in this one, down 2-0 after 7, but the Cardinals once again scored often late in this game to put it away.  Marion and Stan Musial both had 3 hit days to dominate the Giants with their lumber.  Both were 3 for 4.  Musial's average now sits at .403.  With first place all sewn up the only interest in St. Louis will be if "the Man" can become the first .400 hitter since Ted Williams, who is now in service with the Marine Corps.

Bucs sweep Cubbies, take sole possesion of 2nd place

Forbes Field
GAME 1
Borowy vs Strincevich
Pirates 7, Cubs 1

Bucs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back.  3 more runs in the bottom of the 4th put the game out of reach for the Northsiders.  Nick Strincevich (2-2, 3.99) went the distance and gave up 1 run on 5 hits.  Frankie Colman was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI's and walk.

GAME 2
Derringer vs Ostermueller
Pirates 8, Cubs 7 (11 inn)

The Bucs had to rally twice to win this extra inning slugfest.  First they had to come back from 2 runs down with 2 innings to go to tie the game.  Then they had to comeback from a one run deficit in the bottom of the 11th after Cubbies scored in the top of the inning on a freak strike 'em out passed ball scenario.  In the bottom of the 11th Babe Dahlgren grounded a seeing eyed single deep into the hole to score Colman to tie it.  With 2 outs Cookie Cuccurullo lined a single up the middle to score Dahlgren and end it.

GAME 3
Signer vs Sewell
Pirates 5, Cubs 4

Pittsburgh looked to drop the hammer on the Cubbies early with a 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st.  Chicago didn't fold up their tent and rallied to tie it with 2 runs in the 6th.  The Bucs answered right back by scoring what would turn out to be the eventual winning run, in the bottom of the frame via a 2 out RBI double from Johnny Barrett.

GAME 4
Passeau vs Butcher
Pirates 8, Cubs 7

For the 3rd straight day the Cubbies came out on the short end of the ledger in a 1 run game.  Pittsburgh's clutch 2 run 9th inning won the game in walk off fashion and sealed the series sweep.  Frankie Zak's 2 run single with 1 out in the home half of the 9th won the game for the Bucs.

Cincy and Bums split at Crosley

Crosley Field
GAME 1
Seats vs Walters
Dodgers 1, Reds 0

All Tom Seats needed was 1 unearned run to post his 2nd shutout of the season.  In the second inning Dodgers firstbaseman Augie Galan worked out a walk and attempted a steal of 2nd.  Red catcher Mueller airmailed his throw to second into centerfield, which allowed Galan to advance to third.  Goody Rosen lifted a medium length fly ball to right that allowed Galan to tag up and score what would become the winning run.  Mueller's error cost batterymate Bucky Walters (1-7, 4.10) the game.  Dodger lefty Seats allowed just 5 hits and fanned 2 in a complete game effort.  Walters, minus the unearned run, was better (3 hits and 5 k's), but his team could not score for him once again.

GAME 2
Gregg vs Heusser
Reds 3, Dodgers 2

Brooklyn scratched out solo runs in the 5th and 7th innings to tie the game at 2-2 and eventually force extra innings.  In the bottom of the 10th Dodger reliever Clyde King allowed a leadoff single to Clay, who stole second and was bunted over to third.  Since the bunt seemed to be working well the Reds executed a perfect squeeze play by reliever Harry Gumbert to score Clay and win the game 3-2.  Gumbert was outstanding on the hill, tossing 3 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win.

GAME 3
Lombardi vs Shoun
Dodgers 7, Reds 4

The curse of Vic Lombardi has been lifted (at least temporarily).  After going 0-5 to start the season Brooklyn's embattled lefty finally got off the schneid.  In fairness to our readers, we have to point out that Lombardi did almost every thing in his powers to lose this game.  After being staked to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first Lombardi found a way to give it back.  When Cincy scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the 4th via a single from the pitcher fans back in the Borough of churches were heard muttering, "He we go again, dis bum shoulda been drafted".  In the top of the 6th the Dodgers broke out with another 3 run rally to take the lead.  RBI doubles by Augie Galan and pinch hitter Mickey Owen sandwiched and RBI single by Goody Rosen.  With a two run lead in tow the Dodgers immediately went to the pen and relieved Lombardi of his pitching duties to ensure that he could not lose the game.  Whether this move was made to help his confidence or out of fear is uncertain.  What we do know is that it worked out in the end. Clyde King pitched 3 scoreless innings then handed it over to Cy Buker, who has blown more chances for victory than the the French underground has blown up bridges.  Buker started off the 9th by walking the first 2 batters, but finally righted his ship and got the final 3 outs.

GAME 4
Branca vs de la Cruz
Reds 4, Dodgers 3

Ralph Branca gave up an unexpected homer to his opposing number, Tommy de la Cruz, which would eventually be the margin for victory for the Reds.  Branca, a young fireballer, put one right down the middle that Cruz launched into the left field pavilion.  The Dodgers threatened to tie it up in the 9th as reliever Jim Konstanty began to falter.  Mike Sandlock's RBI single scored Dixie Walker to make it a 1 run game, but "Big" Ed Stevens wound up being gunned down by Red left fielder Tipton as he tried to score from second.  This would turn out to be the key play of the game, because the Dodgers now had runners on the corners with 2 outs.  Konstanty was removed from the bump and Malloy was brought in to get the final out.  The Dodgers countered by putting player-manager Leo Durocher in to pinch hit for shortstop Eddie Basinski.  Leo the Lip has a lot to say about a lot of topics, but today he decided to let his geriatric bat do the talking for himself and his team.  Before he could blink an eye, Brooklyn's folically challenged manager found himself deep in an 1-2 count.  Malloy reared back and threw a bullet on the outside corner to catch Durocher looking and earn a series split between these two second division clubs.

Brownies and Tribe split

Game 1

Cleveland 0 – St. Louis 1

Mel Harder vs. Sig (Jack) Jakucki

Sig has arguably been the Brownies best pitcher all season. He and Harder hooked up in quite a pitcher’s duel. Harder, after getting out of bases loaded situations in the first 3 innings, settled down and kept the Brownies at bay. Until the 7th inning that is when his defense let him down.

With 2 outs, Mark Christman hit a bloop single to center. Manager Keller brought in ace reliever Joe Heving. Gene Moore missed the hit and run sign but Christman bails him out with his first stolen base of the year. Moore then hit what looked like an inning ending grounder to Keltner at 3rd but Ken’s through was low and Christman scampered home with the only run of the game. Sig Jakucki went the distance allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks.

Game 2

Cleveland 3 – St. Louis 4

Jim Bagby vs. Jack Kramer

Another close hard fought game. Cleveland led 3-1 after 5 innings. St. Louis’ sometimes anemic offense finally started scoring some runs. Single runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th inning allowed the Brownie fans to go home happy. Again, it was an unearned run that proved to be the difference. Vern Stephens led off the 8th with a walk. George McQuinn, who earlier had hit a massive home run, dropped down a bunt (just goes to show you the versatility of the war year’s player). Buddy Rosar got a little excited and threw the ball into center trying to get the lead runner. Chet Laabs singled to load the bases with no outs. Mike Chartak hit into a DP, but Stephens scored from 3rd with the winning run. Sam Zoldak closes it out for the save and St. Louis has taken the first 2 games of this big series with the Tribe.

Game 3

Cleveland 6 – St. Louis 1

Al Smith vs. Nels (Harry – sorry about that) Potter

This one was close until the Indians pushed across 4 runs in the final two innings. Al Smith went the distance allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks. Cleveland held a slim 2-1 lead heading into the 8th. With 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, Lou Boudreau and Ray Mack hit back to back singles to plate 2 runs. With the bases loaded in the 9th, Keltner hit a sacrifice fly for one and Jeff Heath grounded a single between 3rd and short for another. Smith had all the cushion he would need and closed out the game with a strong 9th inning.

Game 4

Cleveland 9 – St. Louis 7

Allie Reynolds vs. Bob Muncrief

Cleveland scored 5 runs in the 3rd inning to take a 6-1 lead. St. Louis countered with 3 in the 5th to cut the margin to 2 but the Tribe bounced right back with 3 of their own in the 6th to push the lead back to 5. St. Louis added 3 more in their half of the 7th to cut the lead once more to 2. Joe Heving came on to pitch the 9th an earned his 3rd save (not really sure they were called saves back then). Roy Cullenbine, who was a thorn is the Brownies side all series long, was named MVP going 4-5. Keltner added 3 RBIs while Capt. Lou Boudreau added 2 of his own.

Both teams end up where they started. Both are now 16-16 with 8 games left in the season. They will face each in Cleveland in the final series of the season with most likely a playoff spot on the line.

--submitted by Ron Burnette--

Cardinal's Clinch Division Title With Sweep of the Giants

Game 1
Polo Grounds, New York
Lanier vs Maglie
St. Louis 8  New York 2

The Cardinals took their offensive show on the road to New York and the cozy confines of the Polo Grounds.  St. Louis didn't get their offense untracked until the 8th inning when, leading 2-0, they erupted for four runs in the top of the inning and tacked on two more in the 9th as they defeated the Giants 8-2 in the opener of the four game series. The Redbirds banged out 14 hits which included a 3 for 5 day for Walker Cooper who also scored a run and drove in 2.  Johnny Hopp contributed a double and triple from the leadoff spot. Max Lanier went 7 innings to get the win and improve his record to 4-0 with a 2.16 ERA.

Game 2
Polo Grounds, New York
Brecheen vs Voiselle
St. Louis 10  New York 6

Game two played out nothing like the final score indicates.  The Cards had to scrape and claw to win this one.  Starter, Harry Brecheen, had nothing this day as he was pulled early giving up 5 hits and 5 runs (1 earned) in only 3 innings and left trailing 5-0.  The teams traded runs in the 4th and the Cards added 2 in 5th and one more in the 6th to narrow the Giant's lead to 2, 6-4.  It stayed like that until the 8th when Marty Marion, Emil Verban and PH'er Ken O'Dea lead off the inning with consecutive singles to make the score 6-5.  One out latter, Walker Cooper singled in the tying run.  As has been their pattern this season St. Louis again scored late in the game to break things open this time with a 4 spot in the top of the 9th with the big blow coming on a 3 run HR to right by Johnny Hopp that traveled only 269 feet.  St. Louis takes game 2 with a 10-6 victory.

Game 3
Polo Grounds, New York
Munger vs Feldman
St. Louis 4  New York 1

For the third day in a row, the Cards and Giants were locked up in another close contest that kept the home town crowd on their feet until the end of the game.  St. Louis took the early lead in the 4th inning on a Stan Musial RBI double but the Giants knotted it up in the 6th on an Ernie Lombardi HR to left that traveled 300 feet.  The Cardinals came right back in the top of the 7th as Marty Marion drove in Danny Litwhiler who had just tripled giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.  As the game entered the 9th inning, the New York fans were hoping that their team could keep the visitors off the board in the top of the inning and win it in the bottom but it was not to be.  For the third straight game St. Louis added insurance runs in the 9th inning on a solo HR by Ray Sanders (261 feet) and a SAC fly by Emil Verban.  Red Munger retired the Giants in the bottom of the 9th as he tosses a complete game and gets his third win (3-0, 2.68), 4-1.

Game 4
Polo Grounds, New York
Cooper vs Mungo
St. Louis 5  New York 1

The New York fans had high hopes that their team could salvage the last game of the series from St. Louis as their ace, Van Mungo, was on the mound sporting a league leading .96 ERA.  The Cards responded with their own ace, Mort Cooper, who was having a fine season of his own.  The fans got what they expected to see as both pitchers were tossing goose eggs for the first 4 innings.  Mungo surrendered 2 harmless singles to "The Man" and Cooper matched him giving up singles to George Hausmann and Mel Ott.  The Cardinals, once again, were the first to strike as Danny Litwhiler stroked a leadoff doubled, advanced to 3rd on a Mungo wild pitch and scored on Marty Marion's single for a 1-0 lead.  The Redbirds duplicated that scenario in the 7th to score it's second run this time on a Johnny Hopp double and a Walker Cooper single.  St. Louis broke the game open against Mungo in the 8th as they scored 3 more times on RBI singles by Musial, Whitey Kurowski, and Marion for a 5-0 lead.  Ernie Lombardi broke up Mort Cooper's shutout with a 9th inning HR.  Cooper raises his record to 5-2 while lowering his ERA to 1.71.  St. Louis completes its second consecutive sweep of their opponents and stretch their winning streak to 9 games, their season record to 27-5 and clinch the division title.

This Week in WWII - by Tom "Crash" Davis

September 19, 1944: 

• The Soviet Union and Finland formalize their armistice.
• American troops liberate Nancy.                          

September 20, 1943: 

• Allied forces approach the city of Naples.

September 20. 1944:  

• The Battle of San Marino ends.
• The government of Estonia seizes government buildings from German forces.  Government leaders appeal to the Soviet Union for the independence of Estonia.  Although Stalin allows a nominally independent Estonia, Estonia serves as a vassal state and does not realize true independence until the late 20th century.
• US XVI Corp arrives in Europe.

September 21, 1943: 

• British midget submarines steal into a Norwegian fjord and attack the German battleship Tirpitz lying at anchorage.  The attacks knock the Tirpitz out of action for six months
• The Battle for the Solomon Islands (Guadacanal, etc.) is officially declared to be over
• Italian troops of the Acqui Division on the island of Cephallonia revolt against the Germans.  The battle rages for a week after which the Italians surrender.  After their surrender, 4500 Italians are executed.  an additional 3000 troops die at seas while being transported.

September 21, 1944:  

• British troops take Rimini, Italy.
• The second Dumbarton Oaks conference begins, laying the groundwork for the United Nations.
• San Marino declares war on the Axis.
• The government of Estonia prints a few hundred copies of the State Gazette and then is made to flee under Soviet pressure.

September 22, 1942: 

• Australian troops land at Finschhafen, a small port in New Guinea.  Japanese resistance continues into October.

September 22, 1944:  

• The port of Tallinn falls to the Soviets.  It is the first port of the Baltic outside of the minefields of Finland to fall to the Soviets. 
• German forces in Boulogne surrender.

September 22, 1944: 

• 1400 French paratroopers are released from POW camps around Saigon.  They go on a rampage in the city, killing Viet Minh and civilians including many children.  They are aided by French civilians, an estimated 20,000 of whom live in and around Saigon.

Standings with 12 more games to play

  National           
                     W   L   Pct    GB  L10  Stk
  44 St. Louis N    23    5 .821     -  9-1   W5
  45 New York N     16   12 .571   7.0  6-4   W2
  44 Pittsburgh     13   15 .464  10.0  5-5   L2
  45 Brooklyn       12   16 .429  11.0  3-7   W2
  45 Chicago N      12   16 .429  11.0  5-5   L2
  44 Cincinnati      8   20 .286  15.0  2-8   L5

  American           
                     W   L   Pct    GB  L10  Stk
  45 Detroit        19    9 .679     -  8-2   W2
  43 Cleveland      14   14 .500   5.0  6-4   W3
  44 St. Louis A    14   14 .500   5.0  5-5   W1
  43 New York A     14   14 .500   5.0  5-5   L1
  44 Philadelphia   12   16 .429   7.0  4-6   L2
  43 Washington     11   17 .393   8.0  2-8   L3

Highlights from This Week:

43 Cleveland Tops 43 Washington 9-1, Desautels 3 Hits
Reynolds Blanks 43 Washington 2-0

44 Pittsburgh Beats 45 New York N 5-3, Coscarart 2 HRs
45 Detroit Beats 44 Philadelphia 8-1, Mayo 3 Hits
45 Detroit Beats 44 Philadelphia 7-4, Cullenbine 3 Hits
44 Philadelphia Edges 45 Detroit 7-6, Garrison 3 Hits
Newhouser Blanks 44 Philadelphia 9-0, Newhouser Ks 10
Wilks Blanks 44 Cincinnati 3-0
Cooper Blanks 44 Cincinnati 7-0
44 St. Louis N Edges 44 Cincinnati 3-2, Marion 3 Hits
44 St. Louis A Edges 43 New York A 4-3, Christman 3 Hits
43 New York A Tops 44 St. Louis A 8-3, Stirnweiss 4 Hits
44 St. Louis A Beats 43 New York A 8-2, Christman 3 Hits
Herring Blanks 45 Chicago N 3-0
45 Brooklyn Beats 45 Chicago N 7-2, Stevens 4 Hits

Tigers take 3 of 4 from A's and add to their pennant lead

Shibe Park
GAME 1
Newhouser vs Hamlin
Tigers 9, A's 0

On paper the pitching matchup was a complete mismatch, but for 7 innings it was as close as can be.  Then like lightning the Tigers struck for 7 runs in the top of the 8th to blow the doors white open on Philly's proverbial barn.  Detroit's balanced attack was led by Rudy York (2-4), who had 3 RBI.  Prince Hal fanned 10 and easily won his 4th of the year against 1 defeat.

GAME 2
Trout vs Newsom
A's 7, Tigers 6

The Mack-men came very close to blowing a 7 run lead by allowing the Tigers to score 3 runs in both the 7th and 8th innings.  Bobo Newsom looked sharp as a tack until hits and errors did him in.  Woody Wheaton came on for his 3rd save of the year by pitching a scoreless 9th.  A big day at the plate for Philadelphia's left fielder Ford Garrison (3-4) who knocked in 3 and scored 3.

GAME 3
Overmire vs Black
Tigers 7, A's 4

Detroit revved up their motor and drove all over the A's.  Hank Greenberg hit his 3rd homer of the year, which accounted for 2 of Detroit's 7 runs.  Roy Cullenbine (3-4) and Bob Swift (3-3) were on base practically every inning.  Both teams left a combined 19 runners on base.

GAME 4
Benton vs Christopher
Tigers 8, A's 1

The Motown 9 cruised to an easy double header sweep and took 3 of 4 from the A's in the series.  Detroit (15-9) now has a 3 game lead over 3 teams tied for 2nd.  Al Benton had an easy time of it on the hill.  Little Eddie Mayo hit his 5th roundtripper of the season as part of his 3 for 5 day.  Greenberg went 3 for 4 and scored 2 and knocked in 2.

Tribe takes 3 of 4 from Nats to move into 2nd place tie.

League Park

GAME 1

Leonard vs Bagby

Senators 2, Indians 1

Exciting pitcher's duel between two established starters.  Jake Early's RBI single in the top of the 8th broke a 1-1 deadlock. Dutch Leonard needed just that 1 run as he shut the door and increased his record to 5-0.

GAME 2

E.Wynn vs A.Smith

Indians 9, Senators 5

Cleveland broke open this nip and tuck battle with 3 runs in the bottom of the seventh, to answer back Washington's 2 in the top of the frame.  Early Wynn walked a ghastly 11 batters in 5 2/3 innings.  At one point a fan yelled, "Hey Wynn, you couldn't throw a ball into the Pacific Ocean while standing on an aircraft carrier".  For the Tribe Oris Hockett, Mickey Rocco and pitcher Al Smith knocked in 2 runs apiece.  Cleveland wound up walking 15 times.

GAME 3

Candini vs Reynolds

Indians 2, Senators 0

The Chief, Allie Reynolds was lights out, hurling a 4 hit shutout.  Milo Candini, who has been Washington's defacto ace, was the hard luck loser.  Backup first baseman Mickey Rocco was 2 for 3 for the Tribe and accounted for 40% of their hits and 50% of their runs.

GAME 4

Pyle vs V.Kennedy

Indians 9, Senators 1

Pyle and Kennedy locked horns in an unexpected pitcher's duel until the former tired in the 6th and Cleveland scored 8 runs over the final 3 innings.  Vern Kennedy never tired and fanned 8 and gave up just 1 in a complete game effort.  Lou Boudreau, inserted into the leadoff spot for the first time this season, responded with 2 hits, 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored.  Backup catcher Gene Desautels was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored while batting in front of the pitchers.  Cleveland took the twin bill and 3 of 4 to move into a 3 way tie for second with the Brownies and Yankees.

Brownies and Bombers split "Battle for 2nd" series

Sportsman's Park
GAME 1
Chandler vs Kramer
Browns 8, Yankees 2

Jack Kramer (4-2, 3.78) got more than enough runs to work with as the Brownies drew first blood in an all important series with 2nd place on the line.  Vern "Junior" Stephens continues to dominate AL pitching going 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI's.  Christman and G.Moore contributed 3 hits themselves in front of the home crowd.  Snuffy Stirnweiss had a perfect 3 for 3 in a losing effort.

GAME 2
Bonham vs Potter
Yankees 3, Browns 1

New York's "Tiny" Bonham (2-4, 3.12) isn't used to getting much run support, so when he got 3 big runs from his offense it must have seemed liked 10.  Bonham went the distance and fanned 4 without walking a batter.  He also went a perfect 2 for 2 with a walk at the plate.

GAME 3
Zuber vs Muncrief
Yankees 8, Browns 3

Snuffy Stirnweiss (4-5) and Roy "Stormy" Weatherly (3-4) paced an offense that recorded 8 runs on 13 hits.  Weatherly knocked in 3 and scored 2.  Two of those 3 RBI came on a 439 foot two run blast in the top of the 3rd.

GAME 4
Wensloff vs Galehouse
Browns 4, Yankees 3

An untimely error by Joe Gordon in the bottom of the 8th accounted for 2 St. Louis runs, which wound up being the margin for victory.  Up until that point the Bronx Bombers were doing a fine job protecting a 3-2 lead.  Pinch hitter Hafey's sac fly served as the game winning RBI.  Chet Laabs (3-4) and George Christman (3-4) combined for 6 of St. Louis' 9 hits as the Brownies took the 2nd game of the twin bill to split the series.

Jints and Bucs split

Polo Grounds

GAME 1
Ostermueller vs Voiselle
Pirates 3, Giants 1

Fritz Ostermueller gave up just 1 unearned run in earning his fifth victory without any defeats.  Pittsburgh did all their scoring in the top of the 3rd on Pete Coscarart's RBI triple and a 2 run shot by Colman.

GAME 2
Sewell vs Feldman
Pirates 5, Giants 3

The Bucs scored solo runs in 5 different innings to best Harry Feldman and the Jints.  Pete Coscarart paced the offense for the second consecutive day going a perfect 4 for 4 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI's.  Coscarart, who tripled yesterday hit 2 homers today.  Russell also homered as did Mel Ott for the Jints.

GAME 3
Roe vs Brewer
Giants 2, Pirates 1 (10 inn)

It took 1 extra inning for the Jints to put this game away.  In fact the Jints needed an untimely error by Buc catcher Lopez to tie the game at 1-1 to send it to extras.  In the bottom of the tenth it took just one might swing of the bat from sweet swinging lefty Mel Ott to end the game on a happy note for the fans in Coogan's Bluff.

GAME 4
Butcher vs Mungo
Giants 4, Pirates 3

New York found a way to win another squeeker and sweep the twin bill that ended this four game set.  Tied 3-3 after 6 innings the Jints got a timely 2 out single by Hausmann to score Rucker from second.  Van Mungo (4-2, 0.96) got the win and A.Adams came on to pitch a scoreless inning in relief to nail it down.

Redbirds sweep Reds

Sportsman's Park

GAME 1

Walters vs Brecheen

Cardinals 5, Reds 1

R.Sanders' 2 run 2 out triple broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the second and put the Redbirds up 3-2.  A 2 run shot by Danny Litwhiler in the bottom of the 8th put the game out of reach.  Musial went 2-4 to lift his league leading average to .388.

GAME 2

Heusser vs Munger

Cardinals 3, Reds 2

Nursing a 2-0 lead after 7 innings the Reds realized that they needed to be perfect to pull off the shutout against the fast scoring Cards.  That miracle bid ended in the bottom of the 8th as the Cards turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage.  5 successive singles tallied the 3 needed runs with Danny Litwhiler (2-4) and Marty Marion (3-3 with a BB) doing the damage.

GAME 3

Shoun vs M.Cooper

Cardinals 7, Reds 0

St. Louis scores runs in bushels, which is what they did in this contest as a light drizzle came down during most of the game.  Hot swinging Danny Litwhiler (3-4), knocked in 3 and scored 2.  Musial was 2 for 2 with 2 walks and still threatens the .400 mark.  Mort Cooper went the distance with a tidy 6 hitter.

GAME 4

de la Cruz vs Wilks

Cardinals 3, Reds 0

Ted Wilks' 3 hit shutout sealed the deal on this 4 game sweep of the Redlegs.  On a day where the Cardinal offense wasn't running on high octane the defense and pitching certainly was.  Musial went 1-3 and saw his average drop a point.

Dem Bums take 3 from the boys from the Windy City

Ebbets Field

GAME 1

Derringer vs Gregg

Dodgers 7, Cubs 2

The Cubbies drew first blood when Phil Cavarretta doubled home Andy Pafko with 1 out in the top of the 4th.  Stan Hack's RBI single would make it 2-0, but from that point on it was all Bums.  Brooklyn exploded for 5 unanswered runs in the bottom of the inning and never looked back.  "The Brat", Eddie Stanky's 2 run single put Brooklyn on top to stay.  In the 5th Dem Bums added 2 more on RBI knocks from "Big" Ed Stevens and Johnny Peacock.  Hal Gregg went the distance for his fourth win (4-1, 2.35).

GAME 2

Prim vs Lombardi

Cubs 5, Dodgers 3

Good news out of the Borough of Churches...Vic Lombardi (0-5), didn't lose his 6th consecutve decision.  Of course he didn't win it either.  If it wasn't for Clyde Sukeforth's pinch hit 2 out RBI single Lombardi would have been on the short side of the ledger.  Brooklyn had bases loaded with 1 out in the 10th but Signer (2-0) got two consecutive ground outs to quell Brooklyn's rally attempt.  A sac fly by Peanuts Lowrey of Cy Buker scored Hughes for what would be the game winning run in the 11th.

GAME 3

Passeau vs C.Davis

Dodgers 9, Cubs 4

For the first time all season Claude Passeau (5-1, 2.96) didn't have it.  Brooklyn unloaded on him for 11 of the 12 hits and all 9 of their runs.  A 6 run bottom of the 6th inning broke open a close game.  Mike Sandlock (2-4) had 4 RBI's and his first homer of the season.

GAME 4

Wyse vs Herring

Dodgers 3, Cubs 0

Art Herring (3-1, 2.35) went the distance and held the Cubbies to just 4 hits during his complete game shootout.  Brooklyn scored solo runs in the 4th, 7th and 8th innings.  Catcher Johnny Peacock was a perfect 3 for 3.  Goody Rosen hit his second roundtripper of the season as Dem Bums rebounded from being swept last week by their crosstown rivals from Harlem.

Redbirds Sweep the Redlegs

Sportsman's Park, St. Louis
Walters vs Brecheen
St. Louis  5   Cincinnati  1

The Cardinals jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 3rd on a Stan Musial single only to see the Reds tie it up the next inning on a Woody Williams single.  St. Louis regained the lead in the 5th when a Ray Sander's triple plated two for a 3-1 lead.  Red's starter, Bucky Walters, kept Cincinnati in the game until LF'er Danny Litwhiler unloaded to the RF bleachers for two insurance runs ending the scoring and giving the Redbirds their 20th win of the season, 5-1.

Sportsman's Park, St. Louis
Heusser vs Munger
St. Louis 3  Cincinnati 2

The high octane St. Louis Cardinals machine sputtered along for most of this game until the offense found just enough gas to pull the game out.  Cincinnati starter, Ed Heusser, was pitching a gem of a game and for 7 innings the Cardinal offense was clueless.  Single runs by the Reds in the third and fourth innings had given them a 2-0 lead that they took into the bottom of the 8th.  Whether Heusser began to tire or the Cards realized they were about to be shutout of the first time this season, the offense came to life as they opened the frame with five consecutive hits that netted them 3 runs with the third one coming on an Emil Verban single to center that gave the Redbirds a 3-2 lead.  That was all they needed as closer Blix Donnelly came on in the 9th to earn the save. 

Sportsman's Park, St. Louis
Shoun vs Cooper
St. Louis 7  Cincinnati  0

The Cardinal offense had no problem getting untracked in the first game of the doubleheader as they they scored in the second and 3 more in the 3rd aided by a Danny Litwhiler HR, his second of the series, to take a 4- 0 lead after 3.  St. Louis put up another 3 spot in the 5th to take an unsurmontable 7-0 lead.  The star of the game, however, belonged to Card's starter, Mort Cooper who tossed a nifty 6 hit shutout to run his record to 4-2 on the year.

Sportsman's Park, St. Louis
de la Cruz vs Wilks
St. Louis  3  Cincinnati  0

The second game of the doubleheader was much like the first.  St. Louis scored in the third inning on a Johnny Hopp single and then 2 more in the 4th on a single by Whitey Kurowski for a 3-0 lead.  As it turned out that was all the scoring in the game as Ted Wilks duplicated Cooper's pitching gem earlier in the day with one of his own in the nightcap.  Wilks scattered 5 hits as he shutdown the Cincinnati offense in route to the 3-0 win.  The victory and sweep of the Redlegs raised the Cardinals season record to 23-5.

This Week in WWII by Tom "Crash" Davis

September 14, 1943: 

• German troops in Crete undertake the Holocaust Viannos in which over 500 Cretans were killed and over 29 villages destroyed in a three day period.  The action was in response to the support of the villages for the Cretan resistance.  It was the largest massacre of civilians in Greece during World War Two.  The German commanding General, Generalleutant Freidrich-Wilhelm Muller, was executed for the crimes after the war.
• British troops capture the port of Bari in southeastern Italy.
• American troops land on the island of Sardinia and in the absence of any German resistance, take the island.

September 14, 1944: 

• Soviet forces begin their Baltic Offensive.  This would result in the encirclement and isolation of the German Army Group North, its eventual surrender and the beginning of nearly 50 years of Soviet domination of the Baltic States, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

September 15, 1943: 

• Newly "elected" Chinese "President" Chiang Kai-shek asks the his American adviser, "Vinegar" Joe Stillwell be recalled for having dared to suggest an alliance with the Communist Chinese forces led by Mao Se-Dung

September 15, 1944: 

• The Marines land on Peleliu, beginning a campaign of attrition that would last two and a half months.

September 16, 1943: 

• British forces begin the Dodecanese campaign, seizing islands in the Aegean Sea
• British troops from Naples link up with the American bridgehead at Salerno.

September 16, 1944: 

• Soviet troops enter Sofia, Bulgaria.

September 16, 1945: 

• The Japanese Garrison in Hong Kong signs the Articles of Surrender.

September 17, 1944: 

• Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery's poorly conceived and badly executed (by the British XXX Corps) Operation Market-Garden begins.  While the movie "A Bridge To Far" was good, if you want to learn of the campaign read the outstanding book by Cornelius Ryan with the same name.  One of the best historical books ever written, easily the equal of Stephen Ambrose's "A Band of Brothers."
• British and Commonwealth troops engage German forces in the tiny, neutral country of The Most Serene Republic of San Marino.  San Marino is a small country totally surrounded by Italy in the northeastern Italian Alps. 

September 18, 1944:

• The Allies liberate the French port of Brest.
• Jun Uluots proclaims the government of Estonia, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Otto Tief.

Redbirds roll along with 3 out of 4 in Pit

Forbes Field

GAME 1 (DH)

Munger vs Roe

Cardinals 9, Pirates 3

Red Munger went the distance and easily kept the Bucs in check.  His opposing number, Preacher Roe, had problems from the get go with the Redbirds beating him up for 3 runs in the top of the 1st.  The top of the Cardinal order was an incredible 9 for 13 with catcher Walker Cooper going 5 for 4.  Danny Litwhiler picked up his 4 RBI's with one mighty swing of the bat in the 5th.

GAME 2 (DH)

M.Cooper vs Butcher

Cardinals 7, Pirates 1

Mort Cooper went the distance and gave up just 1 run in the bottom of the 9th, which spoiled his shutout bid.  The Cardinal offense was in fine gear as everyone, including pitcher Cooper got a hit.  Cooper actually had 2 hits as the Cards finished up the sweep of this twin bill.

GAME 3

Wilks vs Sewell

Pirates 6, Cardinals 2

For 7 innings it looked as if the Redbirds were going to once again glide to an easy victory.  Then came the tumultuous home half of the 8th where the Bucos erupted for 6 runs.  Babe Dahlgren's 2 run single put the Bucs up for good.  Frankie Gustine's 2 run double provide a ton of insurance, which is always needed vs the formidable Cardinal lineup that just doesn't have any holes.

GAME 4

Lanier vs Strincevich

Cardinals 10, Pirates 4

After an off day the Cardinal offense returned to dominant form.  Max Lanier didn't have his best outing on the bump, but he pitched well enough to win considering he got double digit run support.  Leadoff man Johnny Hopp was 3 for 5 with 5 RBI.  Stan Musial was 3 for 6 as he upped his league leading average to .383.  Catcher Ken O'Dea, hitting out of the 8th spot was a perfect 4 for 4 with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI as the Cardinal juggernaut rolls through Pittsburgh.