Phillies Outslug Reds, 10–7, Despite Cincinnati’s 16‑Hit Attack
Roberts Earns First Win; Callison Collects Three Hits in See‑Saw Contest at Connie Mack Stadium
PHILADELPHIA, April 22 — The Cincinnati Reds battered two Philadelphia pitchers for 16 hits, including three home runs and a pair of triples, yet never managed to take command Friday night as the Phillies capitalized on walks, timely hitting, and several big innings to claim a 10–7 victory before 12,254 at Connie Mack Stadium.
The Reds’ heavy hitting kept the game lively, but the Phillies made the most of their 10 hits, aided by six walks and a hit batsman. Cincinnati left seven men on base; Philadelphia stranded only four.
Reds Strike First
Cincinnati opened the scoring in the first when Vada Pinson singled and Frank Robinson followed with a towering drive over the left‑field roof — his first home run of the season — giving the Reds a quick 2–0 lead.
But the Phillies answered immediately.
Phillies Chase Hook Early
Reds starter Jay Hook failed to retire a batter in the bottom of the first. Bobby Del Greco doubled, Johnny Callison singled, and two walks forced in a run. Left‑hander Joe Nuxhall relieved, but Ed Bouchee greeted him with a two‑run single to right. A double‑play grounder brought home a fourth run, and Philadelphia led 4–2 after one.
Reds Close Gap, Phillies Respond Again
Nuxhall’s double, Roy McMillan’s single, and Pinson’s sacrifice fly cut the margin to 4–3 in the third. But the Phillies struck back with three runs of their own. Callison singled, Alvin Dark doubled, and after an intentional walk to Frank Herrera, Harry Anderson singled to left. Nuxhall was lifted, and Philadelphia led 7–3.
Cincinnati Keeps Swinging
Eddie Kasko homered in the fifth to make it 7–4, but the Phillies widened the gap again in their half. A hit batsman, a walk, and rookie catcher Jim Coker’s triple to right off Claude Osteen pushed the lead to 9–4.
Reds Continue to Battle
Cincinnati refused to fold. Pinson singled in the sixth, and Ed Bailey doubled him home, prompting manager Gene Mauch to summon Ruben Gomez. The veteran right‑hander held the Reds scoreless until the eighth, when doubles by Pinson and Bailey produced another run. McMillan’s fourth home run of the season in the ninth closed the scoring.
Roberts Earns First Win
Philadelphia starter Robin Roberts, hit hard in his first two outings, lasted 5⅓ innings and was credited with his first victory of the year. Gomez finished the game, allowing two runs over 3⅔ innings.
Callison Leads Phillies’ Attack
Callison collected three singles, becoming the first Phillie this season with more than two hits in a game. Dark added two hits and drove in a run. Coker’s triple was the club’s biggest blow of the night.
Defensive Highlights
Pinson made two standout catches in center field, robbing Coker of a hit in the second and taking extra bases away from Herrera in the fifth. McMillan made a sharp play to retire Del Greco in the fourth.
Notes
- Anderson left the game after being struck on the helmet by an Osteen pitch in the fifth. He walked off under his own power and was reported not seriously injured.
- The Phillies hit into three double plays.
- Cincinnati’s 33 total bases far exceeded Philadelphia’s output, but the Reds could not convert enough opportunities.
- Johnny Buzhardt is scheduled to start for the Phillies Saturday afternoon against Cal McLish.
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer April 23, 1960 via Newspapers.com