McCovey’s Three‑Run Blast Lifts Giants Over Dodgers, 7–5
33,313 See San Francisco Break Late Tie; Ninth‑Inning L.A. Rally Falls Short
LOS ANGELES, April 28 — The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers staged a long, tense, and often dramatic contest at the Coliseum last night, with Willie McCovey’s three‑run homer in the eighth inning proving the decisive blow in a 7–5 Giants victory before 33,313 fans.
The game lasted 3 hours and 35 minutes, featured several momentum swings, and ended only after the Dodgers’ final rally was cut short by a pickoff play.
Giants Break 2–2 Tie in Seventh
Los Angeles held a 2–1 lead through six innings behind starter Larry Sherry, who had allowed only one run — a first‑inning RBI double by Duke Snider and a third‑inning single by Wally Moon giving the Dodgers their early advantage.
San Francisco tied the game in the seventh. Don Blasingame singled for his third hit, Joe Amalfitano doubled, and after an intentional walk to Willie Mays, McCovey grounded out to bring home the tying run.
McCovey Delivers the Big Blow
The Giants then chased Sherry in the eighth. Pitcher Jack Sanford opened with a high‑bouncing infield single, and Amalfitano doubled again, scoring Sanford with the go‑ahead run. After another intentional walk to Mays — Sherry’s fourth of the night — reliever Ed Roebuck entered.
McCovey, batting with a .205 average that belied his power output, drove Roebuck’s pitch deep into the right‑field stands for a three‑run homer, giving San Francisco a 6–2 lead. It was McCovey’s fifth home run of the season.
Dodgers Answer Back
Los Angeles responded in the bottom of the eighth. Gil Hodges and John Roseboro hit back‑to‑back doubles, and pinch‑hitter Chuck Essegian looped a single to right, scoring another run and ending Sanford’s night. Reliever Billy Loes entered and held the Dodgers there.
Bob Schmidt added an insurance run for the Giants in the ninth with a single to left.
Dodgers’ Last Rally Ends on Pickoff
The Dodgers mounted one final threat in the ninth. Loes and Stu Miller struggled with control, issuing walks to Sandy Amoros and Jim Gilliam. Charlie Neal singled to score Amoros, bringing the tying run to the plate with one out.
Manager Bill Rigney summoned left‑hander Mike McCormick, who immediately picked Neal off first base, ending the Dodgers’ momentum. McCormick then retired Carl Furillo to end the game.
Cepeda Injured on Collision
The game was marred by a frightening moment in the second inning when Giants first baseman Orlando Cepeda was struck in the head by Maury Wills’ relay throw while sliding into second on a double‑play attempt. Cepeda was carried off the field but remained conscious and was taken to Daniel Freeman Hospital. X‑rays were negative, though he is expected to miss tonight’s game.
Controversial Fourth‑Inning Call
A disputed play in the fourth inning drew prolonged boos from the crowd. Willie Kirkland appeared to trap Don Demeter’s line drive against the screen, but umpire Vinnie Smith ruled it a catch. Had the ball been ruled trapped, Gilliam likely would have reached third and scored on Wills’ subsequent fly ball.
Notes
- Sherry was charged with the loss, his third of the season.
- Sanford improved to 2–0, though he did not finish the game.
- McCovey now has five homers, three doubles, and 17 RBI on just 10 hits this season.
- The Dodgers fell to fourth place, three games behind Pittsburgh.
Courtesy of The Los Angeles Times April 29, 1960 via Newspapers.com