[Tiger Fan]

TRIBE ON WARPATH - TAKE 6 OF 7 FROM LEADERS
The Cleveland Indians made Washington and Boston take notice of them last week in a very big way. The Tribe swept a 4-game set from the Senators in the nation's capitol before taking two of three from Boston at Cleveland Stadium. As a result the American League Pennant race, which was beginning to look very much like a 2-horse race, has been thrown wide open. Cleveland trails both Boston and Washington by just a half game while the surging Yankees, winners of 7 of their last 10, sit just 2.5 games off the pace.

On Monday the Indians blasted the Sens 11-6 behind 4 hits from Ival Goodman and 4 Washington errors. Tuesday Lou Boudreau's 2-rbi double was the difference in a 6-5 Tribe win. On Wednesday the Sens played their best game of the series but still lost 3-1 as Claude Passeau (7-10, 2.92) outduelled Joe Haynes (10-12, 2.34). The series ended the way it started with Cleveland winning 11-6 Thursday and the Sens committing a multitude of errors. Washington got more bad news Thursday when allstar infielder Buddy Lewis hurt his shoulder and will miss 2 weeks.

The Tribe's ride was momentarily derailed on Friday when Andy Karl (15-7, 2.67) and Kirby Higbee combined on a 1-hitter as Boston blanked Cleveland 5-0. The only hit off of Karl was a 3rd inning double from losing pitcher Steve Gromek (16-10, 2.91). Oscar Grimes and Mickey Rocco each had 3-rbi's as the Tribe won 10-3 on Saturday and followed that up with a 3-2 win yesterday. The series concludes today.

Ted Williams made up for a terrible performance two weeks ago by hitting .611 with 5 rbi's in 6 games this past week. That performance earned Williams the player of the week award and has vaulted him into first place in all 3 Triple Crown categories. Williams also learned earlier in the week that he was the American League batter of the month after hitting .349 with 27 rbi's in July. Another Boston standout, pitcher Andy Karl, was named pitcher of the month. Karl won all 7 of his starts in July and posted a 2.35 era in the process.

PIRATES EXTEND LEAD IN NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pittsburgh took 3 of 4 games from Brooklyn over the weekend and that allowed the league leading Pirates to extend their lead over the second place Dodgers to 9.5 games. The Pirates shut out the Dodgers twice in the series including 3-0 in the opener when Cliff Melton tossed a complete game 4-hitter to run his record to 19-6. For the 34 year old Melton it was the 45th shutout of his career tying him for 18th alltime in that category. The leader, Noodles Hahn, is well out of reach with 105 career shutouts.

Del Ennis of the Phillies was named National League player of the week. He hit .480 with 8 rbi's. Earlier in the week Ennis' Philadelphia teammate Joe Hatten was named NL pitcher of the month. Last month Hatten was 5-1 with a 1.67 era. Pittsburgh 2B Tony Cuccinello was named NL player of the month after hitting .346 with 4 homers and 23 rbi's in July.



NFL PRESEASON KICKS OFF
The NFL preseason schedule opened with a full slate of games but at least one club is wishing they did not play on the weekend. The Cincinnati Bengals lost 31-20 against Tampa but the bigger loss for Bengals fans was the news that QB Bud Rutledge hurt his ankle in the game and will miss at least the first week of the regular season and maybe more. Rutledge took just a couple of snaps in the game but on his final snap one of his lineman fell back into Rutledge's leg and caused the damage. Instead of the 2 time first team all star behind center to open the season it will likely be Ken Smith a 3rd year man from Michigan with 9 NFL passes to his credit. Smith did not look too bad in the game, completing 5 of 9 passes for 77 yards and 1 touchdown.

Kansas City also suffered a QB injury in the Chiefs 24-7 loss at St Louis. QB Tommy *Thompson, the 12th pick in this year's draft suffered a dislocated elbow on his throwing arm and will be sidelined for at least 10 weeks. The Chiefs were not going use Thompson as their starter since they have Ulish Groce but he will miss valuable development time. St Louis back Steve France rushed for 104 yards in the game.

Another team hit by injuries in the opening exhibition game was the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers will be missing a couple of starters for at least the first 5 weeks of the regular season. Both SS Joe Germaine and T Chas Studwell were injured on Saturday. Studwell has a broken foot while Germaine suffered nerve damage to his ankle in the 49ers 24-3 loss to Jacksonville.

In other action:

Backup RB Dennis Barber gained 141 yards on 10 carries but it wasn't enough as a late field goal gave Minnesota a 24-21 win over Barber's Oakland Raiders. Veteran backup Stephen Pagel looked good at QB for the Vikings.

The Giants spoiled Ryan McDonnell's coaching debut in Denver as New York won 13-7. McDonnell's defense looked very good but he made need some time to adjust to the fact he no longer has Sid Luckman and the Bears aerial assault offense to work with.

Mark Roehl rushed for 118 yards as New England blanked Green Bay 14-0.

1944 first round pick Doug Kooistra threw 4 touchdown passes in 2 quaters worth of work as Seattle blasted the Jets 45-16. Marion *Motley gained 16 yards on 6 carries in his pro debut with the Seahawks.

Sammy *Baugh played the first quarter and completed 7 out of 10 passes to help Washington past Indianapolis 44-24. 2nd overall pick WR Dante *Lavelli had 2 receptions including one for a touchdown for the Skins.

Veteran QB Leon Allen completed 18 of 21 passes as Buffalo beat Dallas 27-15.

Strong safety Jay Franklin was outstanding asTennessee doubled Arizona 20-10.

Former first round pick Jimmy Berton rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown as Philadelphia dropped Miami 30-13.

Rookie Jim *Hardy and third year man Arnie *Herber both looked good at QB as Atlanta thumped San Diego 32-9.

A 52 yard Mike McNeil to Harlon Ross touchdown pass helped Pittsburgh past New Orleans 19-10.

The defending NFC champion Bears had a huge offensive day, including 203 yards passing and 2 touchdown passes in one quarter's work from Sid Luckman but the defense could not hold Cleveland in check as the Browns beat Chicago 34-27. 2nd year backup QB Jeff McDonald threw two 4th quarter td passes to give Cleveland the win.

A 36 yard field goal late in the 4th quarter gave Carolina a 16-13 win over Houston. Second year QB John Holmes completed 13-of-14 passes for the Panthers to help set up the winning score.




BRADSHAW WINS U.S. OPEN
Irishman Harry Bradshaw was the class of the 1946 US Open, scoring in the 60's in all four rounds en route to a 16 under par 272 and a 4 stroke victory. Michigan native Chick Harbert and South African Bobby Locke tied for second. For the 33 year old Bradshaw it is his first major title and makes up for a terrible collapse Saturday and Sunday at last month's British Open.

On Thursday, Bob Hamilton has a 2 stroke lead after a 6 under par 66. Charlie Ward is alone in second at 68 while Bradshaw is in a group of 8, including Gene Sarazen 3 off the pace. Sarazan, the only man to win all 4 major tournaments but without a major win since 1935, looked surprisingly strong the first two days. On Friday, day 1 leader Hamilton shot a 73 to fall 3 strokes off the pace. Chandler Harper follows up an opening day 69 with a 67 to take a 1 stroke lead on Harbert and Bradshaw. Among those missing the cut are Masters winner Ben Hogan.

On Saturday Bradshaw strung together a third sub-70 round and his 5-under 67 left him 12 under for the tourney. Lloyd Mangrum was 2 strokes back while Harper shot a 71 to fall 3 off the pace in a tie with Locke and Harbert. A 68 on Sunday was more than good enough to give Bradshaw the title.


Here is the final leaderboard

1-Harry Bradshaw 272 -16
2-Chick Harbert 276 -12
2- Bobby Locke 276 -12
4-Chandler Harper 279 -9
5-Lloyd Mangrum 280 -8
5- Herman Keiser 280 -8
7-Jimmy Demaret 281 -7
7-Johnny Bulla 281 -7
9-Gene Sarazen 282 -6
9- Charlie Ward 282 -6


MAJOR WINNERS 1946
Masters - Ben Hogan USA
British Open - Byron Nelson USA
US Open - Harry Bradshaw Ireland
PGA Title - end of August at Portland Oregon.


continued