[legendsport]

GIANTS CLIMB BACK INTO TOP SPOT

With a 39-16 after June 1, the New York Giants have roared into the lead in the National League pennant chase. The Gotham nine had been off to a mediocre start in their quest to defend their World Championship, sitting at 20-21 after the first month and a half of the season, with atrocious pitching being the main reason. Well, the pitching has improved - some - but the offense has scored more runs than any other team in BaTTY, giving the Giants the surge they needed to pull in front. They currently lead Brooklyn by a pair of games, and Boston by seven.

BIG CATS IN CHARGE IN JUNIOR LOOP

The Detroit Tigers are well on their way to successfully defending the AL Pennant they won in 1905. They hold a seven game lead on both the Athletics and Senators. As usual with the Tigers, the pitching leads the way, but it's not Matt Kilroy leading the way this time around. While Kilroy (16-13, 3.45 ERA) looks human after several years of domination, the mantle of staff ace has fallen on lefty Randy Jones who is posting Pitcher of the Year type numbers: 19-7, 1.89 ERA. With Jones, Kilroy and Andy Hassler (16-10, 2.49) anchoring the staff, and the potent bat of Kirby Puckett (.369-2-52) heading up the offense, the Tigers will be tough to overtake in the season's final two months.

JOHNSON'S SWOON HAS ANSON BACK IN HIS ACCUSTOMED PLACE

Nick Johnson managed to hit .274 in June and .308 in July, dropping his seasonal mark to .344 after leading the league on June 1 with a .415 mark. Johnson's swoon has opened up the top spot in the NL's hitting chart and jumping right back into it was Cincinnati's Cap Anson, who leads with a .389 average - below his usual herculean mark, but back on top. Detroit's Puckett leads the AL with Cleveland's Joe DiMaggio second at .362 in the Junior Circuit.