Things in the American League are simply not proceeding in an orderly fashion. The standings turn over every rejuvenated second-division teams the Minnesota Twins are in the back of the pennant race, and the unexpected collapse of the Yankee pitching has kept New York in the League rather than in orbit as everyone forecast.

The Cleveland Indians have emerged in last year's doldrums to take a slim league lead, despite a shaky piching and the lack of reliable power at the plate. Beyond right-hander Dick Donovan who has supplied six of the 17 victories, the staff is not strong, and the return from the Army of Grant is necessary if the Indians are to continue to figure in the pennant race.

Cleveland's hitting so far has been insistently good, if never outstanding. The Indians are third in team batting, in runs and home-runs are well behind the leaders. All-star catcher John went eight for 16 in the weekender series against New York and boosted at average to .326, but most of Cleveland's top hitters are hovering around to 290 mark.

Yankee Pitching Falls

The sudden collapse of the Yankee pitching staff was as unexpected as Cleveland's fine showing. In the past six games Yankee pitching has permitted a total of 73 hits, and although Yankee hitting was as murderous as ever the World Champions woke up yesterday morning in second place.

A major disappointment for New York so far this season has been the sub-par performance of right-hander Bill Stafford. Despite a winning (3-2) record, Stafford has been hit hard, has not yet regained his control of last year, and has a 5.51 ERA. Whitey Ford (3-2) and Ralph Terry (4-3) have not been outstanding, and Luis Arroyo, an indispensable man last year, is 0 and 2 and has been injured since April 22.

Although sixth-place Detroit is only three and a half games behind Cleveland, last year's "miracle team" is in trouble. With the exception of Al Kaline, one of the League's great outfielders, none of Detroit's key men is near his last year's performance.

Rocky Colavito, for example, is still batting below .200 and has yet to get his first home-run of the year. Steve Boros was benched with a .221 average, and Jake Wood, besides playing a sloppy second base, is below .250.

Injuries have put Frank Lary and Terry Fox out of commission so far this season, and the two other mainstays of the staff, Jim Bunning and Don Mossi, have been badly hit all season. The staff may come around; but if they don't soon, Detroit may be headed for a second-division finish.