Senators Hold Off Late Tiger Rally, Win 8–7
Detroit Nearly Erases 8–0 Deficit as Washington Survives Three Late Errors
WASHINGTON, June 11 — The Washington Senators built what seemed a comfortable 8–0 lead in the first four innings Saturday afternoon, then nearly gave it all back through a series of late‑inning mistakes before finally holding off the Detroit Tigers, 8–7, at Griffith Stadium.
Detroit, riding a five‑game winning streak entering the contest, used a sixth‑inning power burst and three Washington errors to climb within one run, but stranded the tying man in the ninth.
Senators Strike Early Against Mossi
Detroit starter Don Mossi, who had shut out Washington in his previous appearance here, lasted only three innings this time. The Senators reached him for six runs on six hits, including two‑run home runs by Jim Lemon and Earl Battey.
Washington added two more in the fourth off Ray Semproch. A wild pitch scored one run, and Bob Allison doubled home another, giving the Senators their eighth run — their final tally of the day.
Bob Bruce and Paul Foytack combined to hold Washington scoreless the rest of the way.
Tigers Begin Climb in the Sixth
Bill Fischer, making only his third start in 11 games, held Detroit to three singles through five innings. But the Tigers broke through in the sixth.
Eddie Yost doubled, Frank Bolling singled, and after a walk to Charley Maxwell, Steve Bilko singled home a run. Rocky Colavito followed with a long drive into the center‑field bleachers — his eighth home run — cutting the deficit to 8–4 and sending Fischer to the showers.
Pedro Ramos relieved and stopped the inning there.
Washington Errors Tighten the Game
Detroit scored again in the seventh when pinch‑hitter Neil Chrisley doubled and later came home after catcher Earl Battey dropped a routine pop foul. Bolling’s grounder brought in the run.
Two more Senators errors in the eighth nearly cost them the game. With two out, Colavito and Bob Wilson singled. Sandy Amoros lifted a pop fly that shortstop José Valdivielso dropped, allowing Colavito to score. Wilson also attempted to score, but Battey mishandled the throw from Pete Whisenant, making it 8–7.
Norm Cash, batting for the pitcher, grounded out to end the inning, stranding the tying run.
Clevenger Finishes It
Tex Clevenger worked the ninth for Washington, retiring the Tigers after they had collected 11 hits off Fischer and Ramos.
The Senators have now won seven of their last eleven, while Detroit’s loss was its first since splitting a doubleheader in Cleveland last Sunday.
Notes
- Battey led Washington with three hits.
- Yost, Bilko, Wilson, and Colavito each had two hits for Detroit.
- Only one of Washington’s runs was unearned, despite Detroit committing three errors.
- Attendance was not announced.
Courtesy of The Detroit Free Press June 12, 1960 via Newspapers.com