[DD Martin]

Hanging on by a Thread - End of September 1939

So the Dynamos went 3-2 in their big series against Boston and Pittsburgh and now just have to finish the deal. First Detroit will head to Washington to take on the 6th place Eagles, then head home for a 3 game series against the last place Gothams. To keep the pressure on Pittsburgh, Detroit really needs to win at least 4 out of 6 of these games.

9/26: Detroit Dynamos @ Washington Eagles - Loss, 2-4.
Eagles Prevail, 4-2, Over Detroit
W: J. Elder (19-18) L: M. Murphy (11-14) .
HR - WAS: H. Shumate (18)

Washington Eagles starter Jack Elder hurled his team past the Detroit Dynamos, 4-2. With the win, Washington goes to 65-79, while the Dynamos fall to 87-57. With Pittsburgh winning their game today Detroit's lead in the Federal Association shrinks once again to just 1/2 game.

Johnnie Sundberg (A player that the Dynamos went after prior to the trade deadline), the Washington shortstop, contributed a run-scoring single in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 3-2, Eagles. For the game, Sundberg went 1-3.

Sundberg told a Washington Daily News reporter that he was "satisfied" with the win.

The Dynamos pounded out 9 hits but the only extra base hit was Elmer Nolde's double. Manager George Theobald stated "We just didn't get a timely hit today against Elder. Despite our record, that lack of timely hitting has been our bugaboo all season. You have to drive in runs to win in this league."

9/27: Detroit Dynamos @ Washington Eagles - Loss, 0-6.
Anderson Throws 6-0 Shutout
W: B. Anderson (8-11) L: S. Gonzales (13-10) .
HR - None

Washington Eagles pitcher Bill Anderson did his job to perfection today, blanking the Detroit Dynamos at Columbia Stadium. He scattered 5 hits while striking out 3 in the 6-0 shutout.

"All I did was not allow any runs," he joked after the game. "I mean, technically, that's what they pay me to do, right?"

For the year Anderson has a 8-11 record with a 4.23 ERA in 20 starts. Anderson has bounced back to pitch a much more respectable season this year. Last year he was just 6-13 with an unsightly 5.69 ERA.

For the Dynamo's with the loss and Pittsburgh's 2nd straight win against New York, the Miners have taken over 1st place by 1/2 game.

9/28: Detroit Dynamos @ Washington Eagles - Win, 10-3.
Dynamos Mow Down Eagles, 10-3
W: F. Crawford (24-6) L: D. Everett (3-5) .
HR - DET: F. Crawford (2)

With Pittsburgh winning again against the lowly Gothams, Detroit really needed to wake up in this last game in Washington. Detroit pitcher Frank Crawford did his part in helping his team beat the Washington Eagles, 10-3. The left-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. In 9 innings, Crawford surrendered 7 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 1. He allowed 3 runs. The win elevated the Dynamos to 88-58 but remain 1/2 game behind Pittsburgh.

Crawford besides winning his 24th game on the season also hit his 2nd home run on the season to help his cause.

John Wicklund, the two-time All-Star , had a direct impact on the outcome. Wicklund contributed a run-scoring walk in the top of the first inning to put Detroit up, 3-0. Wicklund called the triumph "a good team win and one we very much needed."

9/29: New York Gothams @ Detroit Dynamos - Win, 2-3.
Dynamos Clip Gothams, 3-2
W: J. Shaffner (12-13) L: M. Earl (3-2) .
HR - DET: R. Johnson (25), E. Nolde (10)

The Gotham's continue to play a big role in who will eventually win the Federal Association as they lose again to one of the top two teams.

The Detroit Dynamos picked up a win at Thompson Field, knocking off the New York Gothams, 3-2. On the mound for Detroit was left-hander Joe Shaffner, who played a pivotal role in the win. The Gothams have now dropped 5 straight.

Elmer Nolde was the walk-off hero for Detroit. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dynamos pinch hitter hit a dramatic solo home run to send the teams home.

"Our guys are never satisfied," said Detroit manager George Theobald. With Pittsburgh again winning their game, their 4th straight win, the remain 1/2 game ahead of the Dynamos with just over a week to play.

9/30: New York Gothams @ Detroit Dynamos - Win, 8-10.
Messer Heroics Not Enough as Dynamos Prevail 10-8
W: D. Attaway (6-0) L: E. Wise (4-5) .
HR - NYG: W. Messer 2 (5) DET: J. Wicklund (14), D. Robbins (3)

New York first baseman Walt Messer had a good game in a losing cause. His team fell, 10-8, to Detroit at Thompson Field. Messer belted 2 home runs. Detroit reliever Don Attaway picked up the win, upping his record to 4-0. Ernie Wise shouldered the loss. With the victory, the Dynamos upped their record to 90-58.

Leon Drake went 1-3 with a walk, while scoring 2 times for Detroit. The 30-year old right fielder had a key at-bat in the bottom of the seventh. With one out and a runner on 3rd, he broke a 8-8 tie with a run-scoring sacrifice fly off Sammy Alger. It was his 53rd RBI of the season.

"We're in a funk and we need to shake ourselves out of it," said New York manager Ed Ziehl.

With Detroit's win and Pittsburgh finally losing a game again after 4 straight wins, the Dynamos regain 1st place in the Federal Association by 1/2 game over the Miners.

Manager George Theobald stated, "We are down to the wire. Whoever plays the best mistake free baseball is going to come out on top. While it might be great for the fans, I really hope we don't have to play an extra game, unless we are the team that falls short without it."