Cubs Stun Phillies With Three‑Run Ninth, Win 8–7
Chicago Erases Two‑Run Deficit; Phillies Drop Sixth Straight in Wild Finish at Wrigley
CHICAGO, May 2 — The Philadelphia Phillies appeared to have rescued a game they had trailed most of the afternoon, only to watch it slip away moments later. After scoring three runs in the top of the ninth to take a two‑run lead, the Phillies saw the Chicago Cubs answer with three of their own in the bottom half to claim an 8–7 victory Monday at Wrigley Field.
The loss was Philadelphia’s sixth in a row, continuing a slide that has dropped the club toward the bottom of the National League standings.
Phillies Take Late Lead
Trailing 5–4 entering the ninth, the Phillies rallied against Chicago reliever Don Elston, who had escaped a bases‑loaded jam in the eighth. Johnny Callison singled, Ed Bouchee and pinch‑hitter Harry Anderson walked, and rookie Ben Johnson was summoned.
Frank Herrera, hitless in his previous 15 at‑bats, singled to left to score two runs. Herrera advanced during a rundown and came home on Jim Coker’s single, giving Philadelphia a 7–5 advantage.
Cubs Answer Immediately
But the lead did not last. Jim Owens, the fourth of six Phillies pitchers, walked Tony Taylor to open the inning. After Richie Ashburn grounded out, Bob Will drove a long fly off the left‑center wall for a triple, scoring Taylor.
Manager Gene Mauch brought in Humberto Robinson, who intentionally walked Ernie Banks. Chicago countered with pinch‑hitters, and Mauch turned to left‑hander Chris Short, who struck out Earl Averill for the second out.
Two Infield Hits Seal It
With two down, Dick Gernert hit a slow roller between first and second. Herrera could not field it cleanly, and Short, arriving just past the bag, missed the tag. Will scored the tying run.
Moments later, Cal Neeman dribbled a ball to the left of the mound and beat it out for another infield hit, loading the bases. Don Zimmer, hitless in four previous trips, lined a 2–0 pitch over second base to bring home the winning run.
Cubs’ Fifth‑Inning Surge
Philadelphia had led 2–1 behind Robin Roberts until the Cubs erupted for four runs in the fifth. After two strikeouts, Roberts hit Taylor, who stole second. Ashburn singled home a run and stole second himself. Will singled, and when Tony Curry mishandled the ball, Ashburn reached third.
With first base open, Roberts intentionally walked Banks but then walked Frank Thomas and Gernert, forcing in two more runs. Ruben Gomez relieved, but Herrera misplayed Sam Taylor’s grounder, allowing another run to score.
Phillies Rally in the Seventh
The Phillies cut the deficit to 5–4 in the seventh, chasing starter Dick Drott. A walk to pinch‑hitter Dave Philley, Curry’s single, an error on Al Dark’s grounder, and a walk to Callison brought in a run. Bouchee’s sacrifice fly scored another before Elston struck out Wally Post.
Defensive Notes
Both clubs were hurt by miscues. The Phillies committed two errors, and the Cubs fumbled several balls in the field. Chicago’s bullpen, however, held firm when it mattered most.
Phillies’ Struggles Continue
Philadelphia’s pitching staff issued nine walks, and the club again failed to hold a late lead. The Phillies used six pitchers, none able to stop Chicago’s final surge.
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer May 3, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune May 3, 1960 via Newspapers.com