Giants Outlast Cubs in 14 Innings, 4–3
Davenport Delivers Game‑Winner; Bullpen Trio Throws 11 Scoreless Frames
SAN FRANCISCO, April 17 — The San Francisco Giants needed 14 innings and contributions from nearly every corner of their roster Sunday afternoon, but they finally edged the Chicago Cubs, 4–3, before 33,337 fans at Candlestick Park. Jim Davenport’s single with one out in the 14th scored pitcher Billy Loes from second and brought an end to the longest and tensest contest of the young season.
Loes, the fourth Giants pitcher of the day, opened the decisive inning with a clean single to right off reliever Ben Johnson. Don Blasingame moved him along with a sacrifice bunt, and Davenport lined a 1–1 pitch into right field, allowing Loes to score standing up.
The victory kept the Giants tied for first place with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bullpen Shines After Early Trouble
The Giants’ relief corps — Stu Miller, Jack Sanford, and Loes — combined for 11 scoreless innings, allowing only six singles during that span. Their work was needed after starter Mike McCormick, sharp in his previous outing, struggled with his control.
McCormick allowed a run in the second on a walk to Frank Thomas and a double by Del Rice, then failed to retire a batter in the third. Singles by Richie Ashburn and rookie Lou Johnson, a walk to Tony Taylor, and a two‑run single by Ernie Banks put Chicago ahead 3–0 and forced manager Bill Rigney to summon Miller.
Miller escaped further damage and worked four steady innings. Sanford followed with five more, striking out four and yielding only two hits. Loes finished the job with three scoreless frames.
Giants Rally to Tie
Chicago starter Bob Anderson, who had beaten the Giants four times in five decisions, held San Francisco in check until the fourth. Willie McCovey walked, Orlando Cepeda singled, and Anderson uncorked a wild pitch that allowed McCovey to score.
In the sixth, the Giants pulled even. McCovey reached on an error by Taylor, and Cepeda followed with a towering home run into the right‑field bleachers — his second of the season — to tie the game at 3–3.
Shortstop Eddie Bressoud led the Giants with four hits in five trips.
Missed Chances on Both Sides
Both clubs had opportunities to break the deadlock. The Cubs loaded the bases in the sixth, but Miller struck out Ashburn and forced Taylor on a grounder. Chicago also put runners on second in the eighth, ninth, and 14th innings, but could not push a run across.
The Giants had their own frustrations. With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, Cepeda popped out and Willie Kirkland grounded out. In the 11th, Bressoud singled and Blasingame bunted him to third, but pinch‑hitters Jim Marshall and Dale Long struck out, and Davenport was robbed by Banks on a difficult play behind second.
Kirkland narrowly missed ending the game in the fourth when a long drive sailed just foul.
Cubs’ Final Threat Falls Short
Chicago’s last serious chance came in the top of the 14th. Ashburn walked and Taylor bunted him to second. Pinch‑hitter Walt Moryn, who had broken up Sam Jones’ no‑hitter the day before, struck out on a series of Loes fastballs. Banks was intentionally walked, and Sammy Taylor lifted a soft fly to Davenport to end the inning.
Moments later, Davenport delivered the game‑winner.
Notes
- Giants left‑hander Johnny Antonelli was scratched again due to a sore back but is expected to pitch in Chicago next Friday.
- Catcher Hobie Landrith, sidelined with a hairline fracture in his throwing hand, may return for the upcoming St. Louis series.
- The Giants have today off before beginning a two‑game set with the Dodgers. Billy O’Dell faces Johnny Podres tomorrow, followed by Sam Jones against Don Drysdale.
- In the minors, right‑hander Juan Marichal threw an 11‑0 shutout for Tacoma in his Pacific Coast League debut, and outfielder Matty Alou hit his first PCL home run.
Courtesy of The San Francisco Chronicle April 18, 1960 via Newspapers.com
