White Sox Hold Off Indians, 4–2, Behind Pierce’s Grit and Timely Hitting
Chicago Survives Barrage of Line Drives; Fox, Minoso Spark Fifth‑Inning Rally
CLEVELAND, May 13 — The Chicago White Sox made the most of a brief offensive burst and a determined pitching effort from Billy Pierce Friday night, defeating the Cleveland Indians 4–2 at Municipal Stadium. Though Cleveland repeatedly struck the ball hard, Chicago’s defense and Pierce’s resilience carried the defending American League champions to their 15th career victory over the Tribe’s left‑hander.
The Indians collected a series of sharp line drives throughout the evening, but too many were hit directly at Chicago fielders to change the outcome.
Indians Hit Hard but Come Up Empty Early
Cleveland threatened immediately in the first inning. Jim Piersall grounded into a double play with two on, and Woodie Held lined out to first baseman Roy Sievers with the bases loaded. The Indians continued to hit the ball sharply in the second and third — John Romano, Bubba Phillips, and Vic Power all produced hard‑hit balls — but Chicago’s defense repeatedly turned them aside.
Pierce survived a scare in the third when he dropped Power’s line drive, recovering in time to force Harvey Kuenn at second.
White Sox Break Through in the Fifth
Cleveland starter Wynn Hawkins held Chicago hitless until the fifth, when the White Sox strung together three singles — aided by a disputed walk — to score three runs.
After Al Smith struck out, Jim Landis appeared to go down swinging, but plate umpire Frank Umont ruled the pitch ball four. Pierce flied out, but Luis Aparicio singled to center, Nellie Fox singled home the first run, and Minnie Miñoso lined a hit to left to score two more. Piersall’s throw home sailed high, allowing Landis to score easily.
Indians Answer With Power
Cleveland finally broke through in the fifth when Piersall drove a home run into the left‑field seats, cutting the deficit to 3–1. Held added another in the ninth, a low liner into the lower stands, but by then Chicago had added an insurance run.
Chicago Adds One More in the Ninth
Landis opened the ninth with a walk, Pierce sacrificed him along, and after Aparicio grounded out, Fox doubled down the left‑field line to make it 4–1. It was Chicago’s only extra‑base hit of the night.
Held’s homer and Romano’s single brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom half, but Luis Aparicio ended the game with a low, diving catch on Pete Whisenant’s liner, doubling off Phillips at first.
Pierce Survives Heavy Contact
Though Pierce allowed only six hits, Cleveland hit him harder than the box score suggested. Line drives by Held, Romano, Power, and Whisenant repeatedly found gloves. Pierce improved to 2–0 on the season.
Relievers John Klippstein and John Briggs held Chicago in check until the ninth, but the Indians’ offense could not capitalize on its many well‑struck balls.
Notes
- Held’s ninth‑inning homer was his sixth of the season.
- The Indians have now scored 79 runs in 20 games; Chicago has scored 101 in 21.
- Cleveland has 181 hits to Chicago’s 176, but the White Sox have made better use of their opportunities.
- Score, traded to Chicago last week, is scheduled to face his former club today.
Courtesy of The Akron Beacon Journal May 14, 1960 via Newspapers.com