Senators Outlast Red Sox in 11–10 Slugfest at Griffith Stadium
Washington Survives Boston’s 20‑Hit Barrage; Allison Drives in Three, Pascual Closes It Out
WASHINGTON, April 24 — The Washington Senators won a game Sunday afternoon that defied logic, pitching form, and managerial comfort. Despite surrendering 20 hits, Washington held on for an 11–10 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Griffith Stadium, a contest that featured two four‑run innings by the home club and a ninth‑inning scare that nearly erased their lead.
The Senators, who have shown flashes of resilience in the early going, needed every bit of it in a game where neither side could keep the other quiet for long.
Pitching Woes on Both Sides
Washington used five pitchers, none of whom escaped unscathed. Starter Pedro Ramos was gone before the end of the second inning. Truman Clevenger and Dick Hyde were hit hard, and Jack Kralick, who eventually earned the win, surrendered a two‑run homer to Bobby Thomson in the ninth.
Boston’s staff fared little better. Starter Tom Sturdivant allowed early runs, and relievers Bill Monbouquette and Ted Bowsfield were unable to contain Washington’s rallies.
Red Sox Build Early Lead
Boston jumped ahead quickly, scoring twice in the first and twice more in the second for a 4–0 advantage. Washington cut the margin in the third with two runs, and Earl Battey made it 4–3 with a solo homer into the left‑field bullpen in the fourth.
The Red Sox surged again in the sixth. Clevenger and Hyde were tagged for three runs, highlighted by Vic Wertz’s towering two‑run drive over the right‑centerfield signs, giving Boston a 7–3 lead.
Senators Rally for Four in the Sixth
Washington answered immediately with a four‑run inning of its own. Harmon Killebrew singled, Jim Lemon reached on an error, and Don Mincher doubled home a run. Another run scored on a wild throw, Battey was hit by a pitch, and pinch‑hitter Reno Bertola singled in two more, tying the game at 7–7.
Allison Delivers in the Eighth
With the score still tied in the eighth, Washington mounted another rally. Kralick singled, Billy Gardner doubled him home, and after an intentional walk to Dan Dobbek, Boston chose to pitch to Bob Allison, who had been the Senators’ hottest hitter.
Allison doubled down the left‑field line, scoring two. He then took third on the throw and came home on Lemon’s single, giving Washington an 11–7 lead.
Allison finished with three runs batted in and continued his torrid early‑season pace.
Boston Nearly Erases the Lead
The Red Sox made one final push in the ninth. Mincher dropped a throw at first, allowing Ray Webster to reach. Thomson followed with his second home run of the day, cutting the lead to 11–9.
Reliever Camilo Pascual, who had struggled the day before, entered and retired Gary Geiger, but Lou Clinton homered to center, trimming the margin to a single run. After a strikeout and a walk, Pascual finally ended the 3‑hour, 19‑minute contest by fanning Ron Jackson.
Boston’s Big Bats
Thomson led all hitters with four hits and four runs batted in. Pete Runnels and Don Buddin each collected three hits, though Runnels left the game after being struck on the wrist by a pitch. X‑rays were scheduled for today.
Looking Ahead
Washington sends Russ Kemmerer to the mound tonight against Baltimore’s Milt Pappas, with Jim Kaat slated to pitch tomorrow afternoon. The Senators travel to New York mid‑week before heading to Boston for a weekend series.
Courtesy of The Washington Evening Star April 25, 1960 via Newspapers.com