Brandt’s 10th‑Inning Homer Lifts Orioles Over Athletics, 5–3
Baltimore Rallies Late; Courtney’s Ninth‑Inning Single Ties Game Before Brandt Ends It
BALTIMORE, May 11 — The Baltimore Orioles waited until the final innings to find their offense Wednesday night, but once they did, they overturned a two‑run deficit and defeated the Kansas City Athletics 5–3 in ten innings at Memorial Stadium. Jackie Brandt, who had twice failed to lay down a bunt in the 10th, ended the game with a line‑drive home run into the left‑field bleachers.
The victory gave Milt Pappas his second win of the season and capped a late surge that erased what had been a strong outing by Kansas City starter Bud Daley.
Athletics Control Early Behind Daley
Daley held Baltimore to four hits through eight innings, mixing slow curves and well‑placed fastballs to keep the Orioles off balance. Kansas City built a 3–1 lead with single runs in the fourth, eighth, and ninth.
- In the fourth, Hank Bauer singled and scored when Marv Breeding misplayed Bill Tuttle’s grounder.
- In the eighth, Norm Siebern doubled and scored when Bauer beat out an infield hit and catcher Joe Ginsberg couldn’t handle the throw home.
- In the ninth, Pete Daley doubled and scored on Ken Hamlin’s single to left.
Hamlin and Bauer each collected three hits, and Siebern added a double as Kansas City matched Baltimore with ten hits.
Orioles Tie It in the Ninth
Baltimore’s offense awakened in the ninth. Brandt led off with a single, and Willie Tasby followed with a drive to left that moved Brandt to third before Tasby was thrown out trying for second.
Ron Hansen singled to left to score Brandt, cutting the deficit to 3–2. Daley then walked pinch‑hitter Jim Gentile, prompting manager Harry Craft to summon Leo Kiely.
Clint Courtney, batting for Steve Barber, fouled off three pitches before lining a single to right, scoring Hansen and tying the game at 3–3. Kansas City reliever Marty Kutyna entered and retired the next two hitters to keep the game even.
Brandt Ends It in the Tenth
Walt Dropo opened the tenth with a single to right, his first hit of the night. Brandt twice attempted to bunt him along but fouled off both tries. With the count 2–2, he swung away and drove Kutyna’s fastball into the left‑field bleachers for his first home run of the season and his first as an Oriole.
Brandt finished with three hits and scored twice.
Baltimore Pitching Steadies Late
Starter Arnold Portocarrero allowed six hard‑hit balls in two innings but escaped with the help of two double plays. Barber relieved in the third and pitched effectively for seven innings, though two errors behind him led to unearned runs. Pappas, who turned 21 yesterday, worked the final inning and earned the win.
Notes
- Kansas City collected ten hits but left several runners stranded in the early innings.
- Baltimore’s defense faltered twice, contributing to two unearned runs.
- The Orioles’ comeback marked their second straight late‑inning rally.
Courtesy of The Baltimore Sun May 12, 1960 via Newspapers.com