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June 1, 1949
A twelve-game winning streak shoots Dallas out to a 6 1/2 game lead of the Western Division. Including sweeps of Tampa, Norfolk, Jacksonville and Carolina, the Drifters did it all without closer Chase Kirkham (3-1, 5 SV, 1.72) who went down with back spasms on May 9 but should be back in a couple weeks. Dallas leads the league in batting (.276), with RF Stephen Delisle (.343, 35 R) and 3B Chris Wardell (.337) leading the hit parade.
Tied for second spot with San Antonio, the Nashville Hounds took a blow on May 1. April's Pitcher of the Month Everett Lane (4-0, 1.48, .187 OAVG in 6 GS) left his start in severe pain; the X-ray showed bone chips in his shoulder that required season-ending surgery.
Norfolk continues to top the East, with a 2 1/2 game lead over Jacksonville. RF Rick Brown (.276, 9 HR, 29 RBI) is hitting .407 with runners in scoring position, and closer Jimmy Pouliot (14 SV, 1.33) has yet to blow a save on the year.
Atlanta continues their assault on first-to-worst. An All-Star last year, Bill Wetzel (0-4, 6.52 in 8 GS) struggled this year before straining his tricep on May 17, his third trip to the DL in two years.
Western Division Batter of the Month:
RF Charlie Sharpe (NWO) - Hit .314 with 5 HR and 26 RBI
Western Division Pitcher of the Month:
Mike Wilkins (NSH) - Went 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA
Eastern Division Batter of the Month:
3B Richard Safford (JAX) - Hit .370 with 6 HR and 17 RBI
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:
Dave Haskell (TAM) - Went 3-2 with a 1.51 ERA, 42 Ks in 41 2/3 IP
Western Division Standings
Dallas........ 33 - 16 .673 -
Nashville..... 27 - 23 .540 6.5
San Antonio... 27 - 23 .540 6.5
Memphis....... 22 - 28 .440 11.5
New Orleans... 20 - 28 .417 12.5
Houston....... 20 - 30 .400 13.5
Eastern Division Standings
Norfolk....... 31 - 18 .633 -
Jacksonville.. 29 - 21 .580 2.5
Tampa......... 25 - 25 .500 6.5
Miami......... 24 - 27 .471 8
Carolina...... 23 - 28 .451 9
Atlanta....... 19 - 33 .365 13.5
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