End of Series 4

The standings

                          W      L    Pct.     GB
Flashes               9       3     .667    --
Quakers             7        5     .583   2
Rams                  7       6     .538    2.5
Black Caps         5       6     .455    3.5
Orators               5       8     .385    4.5
Orioles                4       9     .307    5.5


Series Five
Orioles at Orators (3)
Flashes at Quakers (3)
Black Caps at Rams (3)

Series 4: Flashes take two of three from Black Caps

Flashes 9-3, Black Caps 5-6

Game One: Black Caps 6, Flashes 5
WP: Cockrell (1-1)
LP: Haines (1-2)
Save: Cooper (2)
HR: Bottomley (3), A Radcliff (1)

Game Two: Flashes 7, Black Caps 2
WP: Nehf (1-0)
LP: Currie (0-1)

Game Three: Flashes 2, Black Caps 0
WP: McQuillan (2-0)
LP: McDonald (0-1)
HR: Bancroft (1)

Lincoln Park had to rally from a 5-1 deficit to get one win out of the series as Fordham tightened its grip on first place.

Jim Bottomley hit a two-run homer in the first inning of the opener and added an RBI triple in the third as the Flashes jumped on Bill Holland for a 5-1 lead. Alec Radcliff hit a two-run homer in a three-run fifth inning for the Black Caps as they tied the score at 5. The final run came in the seventh when Charles Blackwell singled, stole second, took third on Radcliff's single and scored on Jerry Benjamin's fly ball. Tom Williams (two innings), Phil Cockrell (two) and Andy Cooper (one combined for five innings of scoreless relief.

The Flashes built a bigger lead in Game Two, chasing Rube Currie after two innings. Currie was not helped by errors by Frog Redus and Dick Seay, but he gave up seven runs. Cockrell threw five scoreless innings, but a two-run third, the Black Caps mounted no threats against Art Nehf, who allowed five hits in nine innings.

Hugh McQuillan was even better in the finale, spinning a four-hit shutout. Webster McDonald matched him for six innings, but Dave Bancroft lofted a two-run homer in the seventh for the only runs of the contest.

Pitcher availability: After consecutive complete games, the Flashes staff is well rested. The Black Caps will idle McDonald and Cockrell for the next series plus a game for McDonald. Hilton Smith pitched two innings in the last game; sit him for one game for each inning he works in their next game.

Projected rotations: Flashes: Grimes-Haines-Barnes-Neft-Grimes. Black Caps: Williams-Streeter-Drake-??? (Holland, Mathis, Currie, Cockrell)

Series 4: Rams take two of three from Orators

Rams 7-6, Orators 5-8

Game One: Orators 3, Rams 1
WP: Shocker (2-0)
LP: Collins (1-1)
HR: Flick (2)

Game Two: Rams 10, Orators 4
WP: Holloway (2-0)
LP: Davis (0-2)
HR: Jacobson (1)

Game Three: Rams 8, Orators 5 (10 innings)
WP: G Perry (2-1)
LP: Kolp (0-1)
Save: Dauss (2)

Urban Shocker went the distance in the opener at Ortonville, allowing seven hits and one walk. Rip Collins wasn't nearly as efficient, with nine hits and two walks in six innings, but was nearly as effective, with just two runs allowed. The Orators added a third run off reliever Ed Wells. Jim O'Roarke and Heinie Manush were each 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Raymond scored eight runs in five innings off Dixie Davis in the second game and was never seriously threatened after that. Earle Combs hit a pair of triples for five RBIs. Ray Schalk was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Ken Holloway strung together five scoreless innings; he went 6.3 innings and allowed three earned runs. Lil Stoner and Dutch Leonard mopped it up for the winners.

The Rams stole four bases off Don Sutton and O'Rourke and held a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, but the Orators took advantage of a three-base error by Combs in left to take the lead. Gaylord Perry didn't allow another run after that, however, and the Rams tied it in the seventh before taking advantage of a Richie Ashburn error in the top of the 10th in a three run inning for the winning margin. Hooks Dauss threw a perfect 10th for the save; Perry went nine innings, allowing 10 hits and three earned runs.

Pitcher availability: Ray Kolp worked two innings; sit him for a game for any inning he pitches in the Orators' next game. Dauss had one inning in the finale. No other relievers have workload issues.

Projected rotations: For the Orators, Jenkins-Wingard-Shocker-Sutton-Jenkins-Davis. For the Rams, Ruffing-Whitehill-Collins-Perry-Holloway (or Stoner).

Series 4: Quakers sweep Orioles

Orioles 4-9, Quakers 7-5

Game One: Quakers 11, Orioles 5
WP: Faber (2-1)
LP: Cuellar (0-2)
HR: Powell (2), Blair 2 (2), B Robinson (1), Carey (1)

Game Two: Quakers 7, Orioles 5
WP: Kaufmann (2-0)
LP: McNally (0-2)
Save: Blake (1)
HR: Perez (3), Blair (3)

Game Three: Quakers 9, Orioles 7
WP: Jacobs (1-0)
LP: Phoebus (0-2)
Save: Blake (2)
HR: F.Robinson (6), Rettemund (1), Powell (3)

Baltimore pitching was bombed for 27 runs in the three games.

Max Carey hit a three-run homer off Mike Cuellar in the third inning for the home team Quakers in the series opener. The score was 3-1 Guilford entering the bottom of the sixfth, when the Quakers turned six singles and three walks into seven runs. Johnny Evers and Tony Perez each drove in two runs in the inning. Red Faber, who had four hitless innings to start the game, allowed homers in each of the last four innings but completed the game anyway.

Guilford erupted earlier in the second game, raking for five runs in the first inning. Perez hit a two-run homer off Dave McNally, and Rabbit Maranville had a two-run triple. The Orioles scored twice in both the eighth and ninth innings to pull within two, but Sheriff Blake retired Boog Powell with the bases loaded to end it.

The Quakers had another five-run first in the finale, as Tom Phoebus walked four men in the inning. Frank Robinson hit a grand slam off Elmer Jacobs in the fifth to make it 7-5 Gulford, but Hank Greenberg promptly doubled home two more runs in the bottom of the inning. The Orioles hit a pair of solo homers in the eighth and ninth innings off Rip Wheeler before Blake entered with two men on to retire Frank Robinson, Powell and Paul Blair to earn another save. Evers scored three runs for the Quakers.

Pitcher availability: Blake should not be allowed to pitch more than an inning in the Quakers' next game, and preferably not that. Keen should sit two more games. Dick Hall should sit the next game at least for the Orioles and preferably two. If Lopez pitches in the Orioles next game, he should sit a game for each inning.

Projected rotations: For the Quakers, Ted Lyons-Faber-Aldridge-Kaufmann-Lyons. For the Orioles, Palmer-Cuellar-McNally-Hardin-Phoebus.

End of Series 4

The standings

Division A

Ikes 6 3 .667 --
Franklins 6 4 .556 .5

Obamas 5 4 .556 1

Teddys 5 5 .500 1.5

Kennedys 3 7 .333 3

Division B

Homestead 8 2 .800 ---

Crawfords 5 4 .556 2.5

X-Giants 4 6 .400 4

Hilldale 3 6 .333 4.5
Garfields 3 7 .375 5

Series 5

Teddys at Garfields (2)

X-Giants at Homestead (3)

Hilldale at Crawfords (3)

Franklins at Kennedys (3)

Obamas at Ikes (3)

Player of series: Babe Ruth, Franklins

Pitcher of series: Lefty Grove, Franklins

Series 4: Homestead sweeps Teddys

Teddys 5-5, Homestead 8-2

Pitching use: D. Brown, Mathewson need three games; Paige and Alexander need two games. McGinnity pitched two innings in finale, Wickware .3 inning, Matlock 1.3 inning.

Game 1: Homestead 9, Teddys 4

WP: Paige (1-1)

LP: Alexander (1-2)

HR: Baker (1), C. Smith (3), J. Gibson (4), Suttles (2), W. Brown (3), Lyons (1)

Game 2: Homestead 5, Teddys 2

WP: D. Brown (2-0)

LP: Mathewson (0-2)

Sv: Matlock (2)

HR: Suttles (3)

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Homestead took control of the Division B race — and helped turn the Divison A race into a mess — by sweeping the Teddys.

The deadball era aces — Pete Alexander and Christy Mathewson — were no match for the bit bats of the Homestead lineup. Alex went the distance, but surrendered five homers and was roughed up for five runs in the eighth, and Matty allowed five runs before recording an out. He got through six innings to preserve the Teddys bullpen.

Satchel Paige was perfect through four innings in the opener and got the win. Dave Brown was even better in the night cap, although the bullpen had to pull him out of an eighth inning jam that resulted in two runs. Frank Wickware and Leroy Matlock got the last five outs without allowing a hit.

The biggest bat belonged to Mule Suttles, who homered in each game and piled up four RBIs.

Series 4: Franklins sweep Crawfords

Franklins 6-4, Crawfords 5-4

Pitcher use: B. Foster, Hubbell need three games, Brewer, Grove two. Davis pitched one inning in finale

Game 1: Franklins 9, Crawfords 1

WP: Grove (1-2)

LP: Brewer (0-1)

HR: HR Johnson (1), Ruth (6), Hornsby 2 (2), Frisch (1), Grove (1)

Game 2: Franklins 9, Crawfords 3

WP: Hubbell (2-0)

LP: B. Foster (1-2)

HR: Ruth 2 (8), DiMaggio (2)

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Too much power. Too much pitching. Too much Ruth.

That was the way this series went for the Crawfords, who entered the series with the second best record in the league and left embarrassed and limping.

Lefty Grove not only handcuffed the Crawfords in the opener — five hits, two walks and seven strikeouts), he bopped a grand slam off Chet Brewer in the second inning. Babe Ruth, Frankie Frisch and Rogers Hornsby continued the long-ball assault on Brewer.

In the second game, Ruth homered in his first two at-bates — five RBIs worth — and just missed another dinger in his third AB, settling for a two-bagger. Joe DiMaggio had three walks, a single and a homer, scoring three runs and driving in two. Carl Hubbell gave up two runs in the first inning but just one the rest of the way.

Three Crawfords left the contest with injuries — Alejandro Oms, Ray Dandridge and John Beckwith.

Series 4: Obamas sweep Hilldale

Obamas 5-4, Hilldale 3-6

Pitcher use: Plank, Byrd need two games, W. Johnson and Redding need three. Powell pitched one inning in each game, Dismukes pitched two innings in finale, Walsh pitched one inning in finale.

Game One: Obamas 9, Hilldale 4

WP: Plank (2-0)

LP: Byrd (0-2)

HR: Foxx (2), Schmidt (3), Hamilton (1)

Game Two: Obamas 8, Hilldale 7

WP: W. Johnson (2-0)

LP: Redding (0-1)

Sv: Walsh (1)

HR: Hamilton (2), F. Robinson (3), Schmidt (4), Leonard (2)

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Lots of offense in this series.

Jimmie Foxx emerged from his slump with a homer in his first at-bat. He drew four walks in the two-game series and had three RBIs. Billy Hamilton scored five runs and even went yard twice — and had a triple to boot.

Buck Leonard's three-run homer off Walter Johnson accounted for half the six runs Hilldale scored off the Big Train. Hilldale appeared to have him on the ropes in the seventh, when they had the bases loaded with a run already in and just one out, but Judy Johnson rapped into a double play.

Series 4: X-Giants sweep Kennedys

X-Giants 4-6, Kennedys 3-7

Pitcher use update: Mendez needs four games; Carlton and S. Jones 3 games, Seaver 2 games. Koufax worked two innings in finale, H. Smith one.

Game One: X-Giants 2, Kennedys 1
WP: S. Jones (1-1)
LP: Seaver (0-1)
HR: Monroe (2)
Game Two: X-Giants 5, Kennedys 3
WP: Mendez (2-0)
LP: Carlton (0-2)
Sv: H. Smith (3)
HR: McCovey (2)

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The X-factor for the X-Giants was its pitching's ability to strand baserunners.

Slim Jones fanned 12 in his complete game win in the opener; he scattered eight hits and four walks. Three times the Kennedys left multiple men on base against the skinny southpaw.

Tom Seaver, meanwhile, was arguably better — he and Don Drysdale combined to allowed just four hits and no walks. Seaver fanned five in his six innings of work and Drysdale three more in two innings. But Bill Monroe reached Seaver for a solo homer, and the X-Giants parlayed a double by Rap Dixon and a single by Ben Taylor into another run.

In the nightcap, the Kennedys scored two unearned runs in the first off Jose Mendez. But the Cuban kept the Kennedys off the board until the eighth despite never getting a 1-2-3 inning.

Meanwhile, the X-Giants chipped away at Steve Carlton and Sandy Koufax. The latter, who entered the game with a 15.75 ERA, allowed two runs in two innings.

A pivotal moment come in the top of the sixth, when X-Giants center fielder Pete Hill threw out Reggie Jackson trying to score from first base on a Johnny Bench double. Hill's throw kept the X-Giants within one, and they promptly scored twice on a double by Taylor.

Series 4: Ikes sweep Garfields

Ikes 6-3, Garfields 3-7

Pitcher use update: Spahn, Welch need three games; Ford, Young 2. Radbourne pitched two innings in finale, Spalding 1.

Game 1: Ikes 3, Garfields 2

WP: Ford (2-0)

LP: Young (1-2)

Save: Wilhelm (3)

HR: T. Williams (2)

Game 2: Ikes 6, Garfields 4

WP: Spahn (2-0)

LP: Welch (1-1)

HR: Kelly (1)

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Special guest manager Jim Rueda skippered the Ikes in this series. Among his moves:

1) He benched Yogi Berra and went with Roy Campanella as his catcher in both games. (Campy was 0-for-4 in the opener, 2-for-5 with three RBIs in the second.)

2) In the first game he used Ernie Banks as his leadoff man, but went back to Willie Mays in the second game. (Banks was 2-for-5 in the leadoff spot, opening the game with a triple and run scored, and later driving in a run with a single.)

3) Duke Snider sat throughout. Enos Slaughter played right field in one game — he went 3-for-4 with a run scored — and Al Kaline played right in the second (1-for-3 with two walks and a run).

Mays, who entered the series 3-for-30 on the season, was 2-for-9 against the Garfields.