Cubs Overpower Dodgers, 12–8, With Seven‑Run Sixth Inning
Chicago Collects 15 Hits and Hands Koufax His Seventh Loss Before 25,256 at Coliseum
LOS ANGELES, June 5 — For five quiet innings Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs managed only a single harmless hit. Then, in a sudden reversal, their bats erupted for 14 hits and 12 runs over the final four innings, overwhelming five Dodger pitchers in a 12–8 victory before 25,256 at the Coliseum.
The decisive blow came in the sixth, when the Cubs sent seven runs across the plate and knocked out Sandy Koufax, who had struck out nine and allowed only two singles before losing command. Chicago finished with 15 hits, including two home runs by Frank Thomas — one an inside‑the‑park drive and the other a towering shot through the left‑field screen.
Dodgers Take Early Lead on Howard’s Homer
Los Angeles opened the scoring in the second when Duke Snider walked and Frank Howard followed with a drive into the right‑field seats, his first home run at the Coliseum. Charlie Neal added another Dodger homer in the sixth, and Wally Moon connected in the ninth, giving him 10 runs batted in over his last three games.
Chicago starter Mark Freeman allowed only one hit — Howard’s homer — before being lifted in the fifth. Glen Hobbie earned the win in relief, improving to 5–6.
Cubs’ Breakthrough in the Sixth
Koufax entered the sixth with a 2–0 lead and seven strikeouts. But after two walks and a pair of singles, the inning unraveled. Earl Averill and Don Zimmer, both pinch‑hitters, delivered key run‑scoring hits. Clem Labine relieved Koufax but allowed three straight singles before walking Bob Will to force in another run.
Ed Rakow entered next and balked home the seventh run of the inning.
Koufax was charged with five runs on just two singles and three walks. His record fell to 1–7 despite strong strikeout totals.
Thomas’ Inside‑the‑Park Homer
The seventh inning brought one of the game’s strangest plays. Thomas drove a ball deep to center, where Snider drifted toward the fence, believing it would clear for a home run. The ball struck a guy wire and bounced back into play. Thomas, also assuming it was gone, jogged toward second until manager Lou Boudreau waved for him to run.
Snider relayed to Neal, whose throw to the plate skipped through catcher Norm Sherry’s legs, allowing Thomas to score.
Cubs Add On; Dodgers Fall Short
Chicago added two more runs in the seventh on hits by Averill, Zimmer, Hobbie, and Ashburn. Thomas homered again in the eighth, followed by another Averill‑Zimmer combination that produced the Cubs’ 12th run.
Los Angeles scored three in the ninth on Moon’s homer, but the rally fell short. The loss dropped the Dodgers into sixth place.
Notes
- Chicago’s 12 runs came after being held to one hit through five innings.
- The Cubs’ seven‑run sixth inning featured four pitchers and three walks.
- Moon has driven in 10 runs over his last three games.
- Attendance: 25,256.
Courtesy of The Los Angeles Times June 6, 1960 via Newspapers.com