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Pirates Take Series With 10‑Inning Win Over Braves, 5–4
Nelson’s Second Homer Breaks Tie; Milwaukee Falls 4½ Games Back
MILWAUKEE, July 5 — The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to show why they are considered a serious contender in the National League race, defeating the Milwaukee Braves, 5–4, in 10 innings Tuesday night at County Stadium to take the rubber game of the three‑game set.
Milwaukee carried a 2–0 lead into the ninth behind Carl Willey, who had allowed only four hits. But the Pirates struck suddenly, tying the game on home runs by Rocky Nelson and Don Hoak. The Braves forced extra innings with a run of their own in the bottom half, only to fall behind again in the 10th.
Pirates Rally in Ninth
Nelson opened the ninth with his fourth home run of the season. Willey retired Gino Cimoli but walked Hal Smith, and Hoak followed with his seventh homer, sending the crowd of 24,479 into stunned silence.
Milwaukee answered in its half of the inning. Johnny Logan singled, Alvin Dark flied out, and Eddie Haas walked. Billy Bruton also walked, loading the bases. Del Crandall singled to left, scoring Logan, but Haas was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw from Bob Skinner, preventing the winning run.
Nelson Strikes Again in 10th
Joey Jay retired the first two batters in the 10th, but Skinner’s routine grounder skipped past Dark at second. Nelson then hit his second homer of the night, a drive over the right‑field wall, giving Pittsburgh a 5–3 lead.
Milwaukee scored once in its half when Hank Aaron reached first on a third strike that eluded the catcher, moved to third on a wild pitch and an infield out, and came home on Joe Adcock’s single. Bob Friend, the sixth Pittsburgh pitcher, then retired the side to preserve the victory.
Braves’ Early Scoring
Milwaukee scored in the fifth when Willey tripled off the center‑field wall and came home on Crandall’s sacrifice fly. The Braves added another run in the eighth off Fred Green. Bruton singled, Crandall was hit by a pitch, and Aaron lifted a sacrifice fly to center.
Willey worked effectively until the ninth, allowing only four hits before the Pirates’ late surge.
Notes
- Pittsburgh scored five of its runs on home runs.
- Friend earned the save after entering in the 10th.
- The Braves fell 4½ games behind the league leaders.
- Milwaukee opens a two‑game series tonight against Philadelphia, with Jim Owens facing Bob Buhl.
Courtesy of The Capital Times July 6, 1960 via Newspapers.com