Even if Higgins had his team running as much as it should Boston couldn't hope to be too more higher in the standings. Desperate no-hitters by right-handers Earl Wilson and Bill Monbouquette, Red Sox pitching has been a sad disappointment this season. 1961's Rookie of the Year Don Schwall has been terrible. When he's gotten the ball within three feet of strike zone--which doesn't happen all the time -- he's been bombed.

Monbouquette and Wilson may have their names inscribed on a plaque in the Hall of Fame, but they've been terribly inconsistent all season. Then there's the now you-see-him-you-don't man. Gene Conley. After an excellent beginning, he has been not only in constant but like the others in consistent.

Satistics tell the whole story of ninth-place, third in team fielding, and last in team pitching. Ken Wickersham has pitched good ball for the A's, but the rest of the staff is unbelievably bad, and shares with the Mets the distinction of being the only one with a team E.R.A. of over 5.

National League fans will remember a new addition to K.C.'s bullpen crew. Former shortstop Granny Hamner player-manager of a Kansas City farm team was recently called up as a relief pitcher, and in his first outing pitched two scoreless innings against Baltimore.

Pitchers are one thing--probably the only thing--that last place Washington has in any abundance. A fine young staff including rookies Dave stenhouse, tom Cheny, and Don Rudolph recently showed Boston why Jimmy Piersall claims the Senators have the best pitching staff in the league.

since the first All-Star game, Washington has played well over .500 and played ball spoiler to the Angels by Sweeping a crucial three-game series in Los Angeles to drop Rigney's team well behind New York, Behind genuinely first-rate pitching the Senators took two straight from Chicago, split four New York, and took three of four here. It will be a long haul, but Washington could be starting a five-year plan that when completed, will land them in or close to the first division