United League Baseball

Gromek Lifts Monuments
Hot Washington Emerges from Cellar
BOSTON (May 31) -- Steve Gromek's 5-1 win at Fenway today was his fifth win in as many decisions and capped a month which saw the Hamtramick, Michigan right-hander post a 5-1 record and 3.10 ERA to capture the second Pitcher of the Month award in league history. After two wins out of the gate, Gromek, and 8th round selection, fell into a rough patch, going 0-3 with a 5.21 ERA in five starts between Apr. 12 and May 2. But since that 9-7 loss to St. Louis, Gromek has won 5 of 6 starts, with a pair of shutouts and a 2.13 ERA. Gromek's hot streak coincides with Washington's 13-9 run, which has lifted the Monuments out of cellar and into sixth place. Dave Koslo has pitched superbly and may steal the Erv Palica's slot in the rotation when he comes off the DL. Koslo, who started the season in the bullpen and had a 17.28 ERA in limited work in April, was 3-0 in four May starts, with a 2.73 ERA. Washington's top hitters in May were Duke Snider, who led the team in home runs (9), RBI (tied-23), and runs (25); Hank Thompson (23 RBI), and Billy Goodman (.358). The club has improved its road record to 8-17, thanks in large part to a 4-1 record at Fenway in May.

Just Call Me Minnie
Brooklyn's Spunky Cuban On a Tear With 17-Game Hitting Streak, Batting Lead
DETROIT (May 31) -- Orestes Minoso grabbed the league batting lead today with a 2-for-4 day against Detroit that also extended his hitting streak to 17 games, tying the record of Chicago's Pee Wee Reese (Apr. 19-May 9). "Minnie," the 27-year-old Cuban and a sixth round draft selection, overtook teammate Phil Cavarretta atop the league batting table, with a .363 average through May 31. Minnie's last oh-fer was May 9, also in Detroit, when Robin Roberts held the Superbas to three hits but lost 2-1. Minoso goes for 18 games June 1 against Boston, the team he is hitting the best against this season (.455, 10-22). Minnie is also hitting .427 at Ebbets Field, which makes him by far the best home hitter in the league.

The Town That Ate Second Basemen
Runnels Joins Doerr on Brooklyn DL
DETROIT (May 31) -- From the trading block to a full-arm cast in a span of six weeks, it has been an eventful season for Brooklyn utility man Pete Runnels. Drafted in the 19th round by Louisville, it looked like he wouldn't get a starting job on a team with Alvin Dark, Nellie Fox, and Luke Easter. But the season-ending injury to Bobby Doerr opened the door to a move to Flatbush, where Runnels was a red-hot stand-in, batting .341 in his first 18 games. The 23-year-old rookie cooled off a bit in May, but still contributed with a .296 average and 12 RBI in 24 games. His fractured elbow will sideline him for 9-10 weeks, and will force Brooklyn manager Frank Thomas to use Billy Hitchcock (.240-1-8 in 37 games), Davey Williams (.182-0-2 in 9 games) or call up someone from AAA Buffalo, the most productive of which has been Bo Strickland (.263-6-22 in AAA). Ironically, Brooklyn was in talks with New York earlier in the season about Jackie Robinson, who is presently enjoying a quiet vacation with his wife and torn groin. Call it what you will, but Thomas has his own 'special touch' when it comes to second basemen.

AROUND THE HORN

31-20 8-5	CHICAGO · Leads league in HR (59-Berra 11, Westlake 10, Thomson 9) and HR allowed (36-Roe 14)... 18-9 on the road... 7-3 in last 10... League best ERA (4.08)... Newcombe 5-2, 3.62 in May... Preacher Roe 1-3, 10.04 in last 5 starts... Berra .403-5-18 in 21 May games... Avila 19 RBI in last 21 games... Westlake 2 HR in 7-4 win at Boston May 21... League best 61 DPs (1.2/gm)... Eddie Robinson top pinch-hitter .526 (10-19).
30-20 9-5	NEW YORK · League best offense (5.9 runs/gm, .799 OPS)... Doubled HR output in May (34 vs 17 in April)... Gil Hodges leads league in HR (15-tied), runs (43), 2nd in RBI, TB, 3rd in SLG, May Player of the Month (.356-14-31, .881 SLG in 25 games), game-tying grand slam in 9th on May 18... Busby .373 (22-59) in May... Top May pitcher: Early Wynn (4-1, 3.66)... Friend 3-0, 0.00 in last 5 games... Noren league-best .407 RISP.
29-21 6-7	ST. LOUIS · Best home record (18-5)... Won 6 straight (May 10-16)... First series loss (to Chicago, May 17-19) in 8 home series... League low .264 OBA and runs allowed (4.5/gm)... Zoldak 0-3, 9.15 in last 3 starts... Hutchinson 4-0, 1.64 in last 4 starts... Beat Brooklyn 11-8 May 16 with 4-run 9th and Jethroe HR in 10th... May batting: Musial 4 HR, 18 RBI, Pesky led in batting (.330), .476 (10-21) in last 6 games... Jethroe league-best 13 clutch hits (close/late).
28-22 6-7	BOSTON · 12-2 in one-run games... Won 6 straight road games May 14-20, 2-7 since then, all at home, coinciding with Spahn's 3-loss streak (0-3, 5.63 ERA)... Scored 4 runs or less in 9 of last 10 games... Lopat 0-4, 6.02 in May... Brown .571 (8-14) in last 5 games... Stanky .529 (9-17) in last 5 games, .360 in May... Zernial leads league in extra-base hits (30) and total bases (119), .326-7-23 in May.
24-28 6-7	DETROIT · 0-5 in extra-innings, 6-12 in one-run games... 5-4 win over St. Louis May 22 snapped 7-game skid, won game on Rojek triple and wild pitch in 9th... 5-1 in last 6 games... Roberts first shutout May 27 in 10-0 blowout at Chicago, Joe DiMaggio 4-5... Raschi 4-2, 4.11 in May... Irvin 10 RBI in last 6 games... Kiner 1st in slugging (.657), OPS (1.112), and HR (15-tied), hit 4 HR in last 5 games after 8-game drought.
22-29 10-4	WASHINGTON · 7-2 in last 9 games... Leads league in SLG (.446)... May RBI: Snider 23, H Thompson 23, Garagiola 21... Sid Gordon .395, .721 slugging in May, 5 RBI in Gromek's 2-hit shutout in 9-0 win at Chicago May 16... Three one-run wins over Louisville May 21-23... Snider, McDougald, Garagiola 4 RBI each in 18-7 blowout of New York May 28... League low 152 walks allowed... W/9: Jansen 2.1 (3rd), Newhouser 2.3 (5th).
21-30 6-8	BROOKLYN · Minoso (.363), Cavarretta (.360) are 1-2 in batting... League high 61 HR allowed (Raffensberger 19)... Bickford 3-0, 3.70 in May... Minoso led team in batting (.388), hits (38), and RBI (17-tied) in May, 2 hits May 31 extended hit streak to 17 games, tying Pee Wee Reese... Campy 4-5, 4 RBI May 16... Sweep at Louisville May 26-28 was first three-game win streak, Woodling 6 RBI in 12-5 win May 26, Cavarretta 4-5, 4 RBI in 8-7 win May 28.
18-33 3-11	LOUISVILLE · Lost 5 straight, 2-18 since May 4... Leads league in batting (.293) and SB (70-Jensen 24, Ashburn 19) ... League worst ERA (5.85), fewest CGs, but most strikeouts (237-McDermott 58) ... Rotation in May: 3-14, 6.84 in 25 starts (Holcombe 9.00, McDermott 6.59, Wehmeier 6.48, Branca 5.70)... Mitchell GWHR in 15-inning marathon vs NYG May 18... Jensen 2 HR, 6 RBI in 8-7 loss to BRO May 28.
DAY-BY-DAY
Wed May 16 STL 11, BRO 8 (10) - STL 4-run 9th, Jethroe HR in 10th; Campanella 4-5, 4 RBI WAS 9, CHI 0 - Gromek 2-hit SHO, Gordon HR, 2 2B, 5 RBI NYG 8, DET 7 (12) - Ginsberg HR in 9th, Noren GWRBI in 12th BOS 3, LOU 1 (10) - Lemon 1st win, 9.0, 6 H, Lenhart GW 2B after Easter error
Thu May 17 WAS 3, BRO 1 - Koslo 8.0, 1 R, Michaels, Adcock 3-4, Mays HR CHI 6, STL 4 - Reese 3-5, 2 RBI, Avila 2 RBI, CHI 4 errors LOU 8, NYG 7 (15) - Fox 2-run double in 9th, Mitchell GWHR in 15th
Fri May 18 BRO 11, WAS 4 - Campy, Woodling HR in 8-run 4th, Hitchcock 4-4 STL 4, CHI 2 - Hutchinson 8.0, 2 R; Musial 2-run HR in 1st NYG 10, LOU 9 (10) - Hodges GSHR in 9th, 6 RBI; Martin 2-run 2B in 10th BOS 7, DET 3 - Miksis grand slam in 9th beats Robin Roberts
Sat May 19 WAS 8, BRO 4 - Hank Thompson 2 HR, McDougald 4-5 CHI 11, STL 2 - Newcombe 8.2, 2 R, 2 RBI, Reese 2-3, HR NYG 10, LOU 6 - Yost 3-4, 2 RBI, Cox HR, 3 RBI; Ashburn 3-5, Dark 3 RBI BOS 8, DET 5 - Zernial 3-5, 2 HR, Brown 3 RBI, 5-run 1st
Sun May 20 BRO 5, WAS 1 - Howie Fox 7-hit CG, Doby 3-run HR in 6th LOU 8, NYG 7 - NYG blew 6-1 lead, 5-run 7th, Valo 2 RBI; Batts 3-run HR BOS 4, DET 3 - Garcia (5-0), 1st start in 3 weeks, 3-3 batting, Torgeson 2 RBI
Mon May 21 BRO 6, NYG 4 - Souchock 2 RBI; F Thomas HR, 3 RBI WAS 8, LOU 7 - Sauer RBI double, McDougald SF in 9th, Mays 2B, 2 3B CHI 7, BOS 4 - Westlake 2 HR, Reese 2B, 3B, 2 R STL 7, DET 2 - Maglie 3-hitter, Pesky 4-5, Jethroe 3-6, 3 R; J DiMaggio HR
Tue May 22 NYG 7, BRO 5 - BRO blew 5-1 lead, Hodges 4-5, 2 HR, Williams 2B, HR, Nichols 10th SV WAS 3, LOU 2 - Slaughter RBI 3B, Garagiola HR in 3-run 1st; Dark 2 RBI CHI 8, BOS 3 - Berra 4-5, 3 RBI, Thomson HR; Miksis 3-3 DET 5, STL 4 - Rojek 3B, scored GW run on Pierce WP in 9th, Scheffing 2-2
Wed May 23 NYG 6, BRO 1 - Blackwell 5-hitter, Vollmer, Hodges, Cox HR WAS 2, LOU 1 - Koslo 6-hitter, 2-3 batting; Wehmeier 8.0, 1 ER, loss CHI 8, BOS 4 - Avila HR, 3 RBI, Westlake 4-5, 10th HR STL 4, DET 2 - Musial 2-3, HR, Coan 3-4
Thu May 24 NYG 8, BRO 5 - Martin 3-run 2B in 8th, Cox 3-3, Ginsberg 2 RBI LOU 9, WAS 3 - Easter 3 RBI, Ashburn 3-4, 2 R, 2B, SB, Valo 2 RBI BOS 7, CHI 3 - Reynolds 5-hitter, Brown 3-run 2B in 8th, Stanky 2 RBI DET 5, STL 3 - Raschi 8.0, 3 R, Irvin GW 3-run HR in 7th, Priddy 3-3
Fri May 25 NO GAMES
Sat May 26 WAS 3, NYG 2 - Gromek 8.0, 2 R, Snider HR, Slaughter GWRBI in 7th BRO 12, LOU 5 - Woodling 4-5, 6 RBI, Doby, Campanella 3 R STL 6, BOS 4 - Maglie beats Spahn, Jethroe 3-5, 3 R, Pesky 3-3, Joost 2 RBI DET 8, CHI 1 - Rush 8-hit CG, Kiner 2 HR, scored in 3rd-9th innings
Sun May 27 NYG 6, WAS 5 - Wertz HR, 3 RBI, Hodges 2 2B, 2 RBI; Adcock 2-run HR BRO 6, LOU 4 - Hitchcock 3-5, Woodling 2-run 3B; Fox 3-5, Kluttz HR BOS 4, STL 3 - Garcia (6-0), 8.0, 3 R, Stanky 3-3 HR, Torgy, Dom HR DET 10, CHI 0 - Roberts SHO, Irvin 2 HR, J DiMaggio 4-5, Scheffing HR
Mon May 28 WAS 18, NYG 7 - Snider, McDougald, Garagiola 4 RBI, Slaughter 4 R, 7-run 7th BRO 8, LOU 7 - Cavarretta 4-5, 4 RBI; Jensen 2 HR, 6 RBI, Lowrey 3-5 STL 4, BOS 2 - Hutchinson 4th straight win, Musial HR, Joost 2 RBI CHI 5, DET 4 - Berra 2-run HR, Thomson 2 RBI; Kiner HR, 3 RBI, J DiMaggio 3-4
Tue May 29 NO GAMES
Wed May 30 DET 6, BRO 4 - Priddy 2 RBI, Elliott 2 R; Cavarretta 2 RBI CHI 7, LOU 4 - Reese HR, 3 R, Bell, E Robinson 2 RBI, Wilks 10th SV WAS 8, BOS 3 - Jansen CG, 1 ER, Goodman 3 RBI, Snider, Adcock 2 RBI NYG 7, STL 3 - Wynn CG, 1 ER, Zoldak 3rd straight L, Boudreau HR
Thu May 31 DET 3, BRO 2 - Rush 8.0, 1 ER, Labine 10th SV, Irvin 3-4, 2B, HR, SB CHI 5, LOU 2 - Trout 8.0, 2 R, 2 RBI; Thomson 2-run 2B in 8th WAS 5, BOS 1 - Gromek 8.0, 1 R, Spahn 3rd straight L, H Thompson, Gordon HR NYG 7, STL 3 - Church CG win, Hodges 4-4, 2 2B, HR, 3 R; Ennis 2R HR