[Big Six]

August 1, 1938

• It had been almost two years since a big league pitcher threw a no-hitter, but Milwaukee righthander Cy Blanton changed that on July 7. He dazzled the Detroit Tigers at County Stadium, walking two and striking out three and cruising to an 8-0 victory. Blanton's no-no was the first of four consecutive victories, a streak that evened his season record at 9-9. His ERA is a fine 3.34.
  
  
• Cool Papa Bell of the San Diego Padres suffered a broken foot on July 2 that might cost him and his teammates dearly--in more than one way. Bell could miss up to three months and, at best, will be out of action until early September. The Padres currently lead the AL Pacific Division by six games; can they hold on without their star centerfielder?
  
  Moreover, Bell is hitting an even .400, with 136 hits in 340 at-bats. It's unlikely he'll be able to amass enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title, and if he managed to hold on to his .400 average, would his feat be discounted because he didn't play a full season?
  
  
• The New York Giants are firmly in command of the NL Northern Division race, with a 16-game lead over the crosstown Yankees. The Giants traded for two veterans this month in an attempt to add some savvy to their young roster. From Oakland, they acquired 37-year-old outfielder Heinie Manush, and they picked up 42-year-old reliever Mike MacMoran from Brooklyn. In both cases, they traded away seldom-used reserves.
  
  
• Another veteran reliever changed teams at the trading deadline. The Milwaukee Braves swapped veteran third baseman Jesus Lopez for Seattle's Lance Thompson. Thompson, a six-time American League All-Star with the Rainiers, will take over as the Braves' closer as they attempt to run down the division-leading Senators and Tigers.
  
  
• The Braves' Hank Greenberg enjoyed another great month in July. He hit .381-6-32, scoring 27 runs, and earned the NL Batter of the Month Award. Greenberg is leading the National League with a .367 batting average, and he's driven in 104 runs in 106 games.
  
  
• The Portland Beavers are making a move toward the top of the Continental Division standings. The Beavs went 20-9 during July, and now stand only two games back of the White Sox. Josh Gibson continues to lead the potent Portland attack; his .394-11-37 line earned him the American League Batter of the Month prize for the second month in a row. Josh raised his average to .389, and his 28 home runs and 99 RBI also place him among the league leaders.
  
  
• Several sluggers are putting up huge numbers this season. Hal Trosky of the Cubs has 32 homers, with Jimmie Foxx right behind him at 30. Washington's Mule Suttles has driven in 114 runs, while three other batsmen have more than 100 (Hank Greenberg, 104; Chuck Klein and Buck Leonard, 103 apiece).
  
  
• The Beavers also boast the American League's top pitcher for July. Pat Caraway, one of the league's most underrated stars, went 6-0 with a 2.63 ERA and won the Pitcher of the Month prize. Caraway has a 16-4 record this year, and only Hollywood's Carl Hubbell (18-4) has won more times.
  
  
• Brian Whaley of the New York Yankees won all five of his starts, posting a miniscule 0.95 ERA during July. Not surprisingly Whaley, a 13-game winner for the season, was named the NL Pitcher of the Month.
  
  
• With a batting average of .414, an OBP of .511, and 10 homers in his first 39 big league games, Oakland rookie Ted Williams has emerged as one of the league's most dangerous hitters. "He's already one of the five best players in baseball," said an opposing manager.