Braves Defeat Cardinals, 4–1, as Buhl Scatters Seven Hits
Milwaukee Scores Three in Second; Nieman Homers but St. Louis Again Strands Runners
ST. LOUIS, May 26 — The St. Louis Cardinals continued to search for timely hitting Wednesday night, falling to the Milwaukee Braves 4–1 at Busch Stadium despite a strong outing from Wilmer “Vinegar Bend” Mizell and three hits from outfielder Bob Nieman.
Milwaukee right‑hander Bob Buhl struck out nine and allowed seven hits, improving to 4–2 while handing the Cardinals their 14th loss in 20 home games.
Braves Strike Early With Three‑Run Second
Mizell, who fanned seven in seven innings, was undone by a rough second inning. Hank Aaron doubled to left, Joe Adcock singled, and Mel Roach followed with another hit. A passed ball allowed one run to score, and Buhl’s infield single brought home another. A throwing error on Roach’s hit added to the damage, giving Milwaukee a 3–0 lead.
The Braves added their final run in the sixth when Aaron singled for his third straight hit and later scored on a groundout.
Nieman Provides Cardinals’ Only Run
Nieman, recently installed as a regular, continued his torrid hitting. He singled twice and in the fifth inning belted his first National League home run, a drive estimated at 420 feet into the left‑center bleachers.
The blast cut Milwaukee’s lead to 3–1, but the Cardinals could not push across another run.
Nieman is now hitting .565 (13‑for‑23) since joining the everyday lineup.
Cardinals Miss Opportunities
St. Louis had several chances to close the gap:
- In the first and third innings, leadoff walks were erased by double plays.
- In the fourth, Joe Cunningham singled and Ken Boyer walked, but both were stranded.
- In the seventh, Stan Musial and Nieman singled, but Carl Sawatski popped up and pinch‑hitter George Crowe grounded out.
- In the ninth, Musial and Nieman singled again, but Sawatski struck out and Wally Shannon followed suit.
Manager Solly Hemus argued a close play at first in the seventh, contending that Leon Wagner beat Red Schoendienst’s throw, but the call stood.
Buhl’s Change‑Up Key to Victory
Buhl, who has relied heavily on his fastball in past seasons, credited his improved change‑up for keeping the Cardinals off balance. Musial agreed, noting that Buhl “isn’t the same pitcher when he mixes speeds.”
Despite the win, Buhl said, “I should be doing better. I’d like to have my old fast ball back.”
Mizell Strong Except for One Inning
Aside from the second inning, Mizell was sharp, striking out seven and allowing only one earned run. But defensive lapses and scattered Milwaukee hits proved costly.
Reliever Ernie Broglio worked two scoreless innings, allowing one hit.
Cardinals Shuffle Batting Order
After the game, Hemus announced a revised batting order to be used in the coming series against the Giants. Bill White will bat second, Daryl Spencer fifth, Nieman third, and Musial sixth. Cunningham will remain the leadoff man.
Hemus said the changes were designed to “take better advantage of our hits” and generate more runs with men on base.
Notes
- Milwaukee’s Eddie Mathews, who had nine hits in his first 11 at‑bats against St. Louis this season, went hitless and struck out three times.
- Paid attendance was 9,222, putting the Cardinals roughly 28,000 ahead of last year’s pace.
- A pre‑game ceremony featured the swearing‑in of the Cardinal Navy Company.
- A home‑run contest between Cardinals and Giants sluggers is scheduled before tonight’s game.
Courtesy of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch May 27, 1960 via Newspapers.com