Senators Rally Late to Edge Orioles, 8–7, in 10‑Hit Duel at Memorial Stadium
Killebrew Drives in Three; Gentile Knocks Home Four in Losing Effort
BALTIMORE, April 21 — The Washington Senators, trailing early and fighting uphill most of the night, broke through in the eighth inning to defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 8–7, before a lively crowd at Memorial Stadium. Billy Gardner’s soft single into right field scored Billy Consolo with the deciding run and capped a long, back‑and‑forth contest marked by heavy hitting on both sides.
The Senators collected 14 hits, six of them for extra bases, against three Baltimore pitchers. The Orioles answered with 12 hits of their own, scoring in bursts but unable to hold an early four‑run lead.
Orioles Jump Ahead Early
Baltimore opened the game as though it might be settled quickly. Singles by Marv Breeding, John Powers, and Gene Woodling, followed by a walk to Brooks Robinson and a wild pitch, produced two runs. Jim Gentile then singled home two more, giving the Orioles a 4–0 advantage before Washington had recorded an out in the second inning.
But the lead evaporated almost as quickly as it formed.
Washington Answers Back
In the second, a walk, Don Mincher’s double, and a single by Consolo brought home two runs. Another walk and Gardner’s double — a ball misplayed in left‑center — cut the margin to 4–3.
The Senators tied the game in the third on three straight hits, including Faye Throneberry’s double and Bob Allison’s single.
Killebrew Puts Senators Ahead
With two out in the fifth, Harmon Killebrew, who hit 42 home runs last season, drove a pitch from Milt Pappas into the left‑field seats for his first homer of 1960, giving Washington its first lead at 5–4.
Killebrew finished the night with three runs batted in on the homer and a two‑run single.
Orioles Regain the Lead
Baltimore responded in the sixth. Woodling walked, Gus Triandos doubled off the left‑field wall, and Gentile again delivered, singling home both runners. Ron Hansen followed with a line single to center, scoring Gentile and putting the Orioles back in front, 7–5.
That ended the night for Washington starter Russ Kemmerer, who allowed seven runs in 5⅓ innings.
Senators Tie It Again
Washington pulled even in the seventh. After two were out, Throneberry walked, Allison doubled, and Killebrew dropped a looping single into center to make it 7–7. Coleman relieved Pappas and recorded the final out.
Deciding Rally in the Eighth
The winning rally began with one out in the eighth when Consolo drove a Coleman fastball deep into center for a double. Pinch‑hitter Jim Lemon was intentionally walked, and Gardner, choking up on the bat, dropped a soft liner just over Breeding’s glove to score Consolo.
Washington loaded the bases when Lenny Green was hit by a pitch, but Throneberry grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Orioles’ Last Chance Falls Short
Baltimore threatened in the ninth with two singles off reliever John Anderson, but could not push across the tying run.
Gentile led the Orioles with four runs batted in on two nearly identical singles through the right side. Breeding and Hansen each collected two hits.
For Washington, Allison had three hits, while Gardner, Killebrew, Mincher, and Consolo each had two.
Pitching Struggles on Both Sides
Pappas, who worked 6⅔ innings, allowed 10 hits and seven runs, frequently falling behind hitters. Coleman took the loss in relief. Washington’s bullpen held Baltimore scoreless over the final innings.
Courtesy of The Baltimore Sun April 21, 1960 via Newspapers.com