Tigers Outslug Athletics, 7–6, With Five Home Runs in See‑Saw Battle
Chrisley Belts Two; Cash’s Seventh‑Inning Drive Decides Wind‑Aided Slugfest at Briggs Stadium
DETROIT, May 14 — A strong wind blowing out to right field turned Briggs Stadium into a hitter’s haven Saturday afternoon, and the Detroit Tigers made the most of it. Five home runs — all by Detroit — accounted for every run the home club scored in a 7–6 victory over the Kansas City Athletics, their fourth straight win.
The Athletics, who have now dropped 11 of their last 13, contributed to their own troubles with a costly catcher’s interference call that extended Detroit’s fourth‑inning rally.
Chrisley Seizes Opportunity
With Charley Maxwell sidelined by injury, Neil Chrisley made the most of his starting assignment. The left‑handed hitter belted two home runs in consecutive at‑bats, driving in four runs and helping Detroit erase a 6–2 deficit.
Chrisley’s second blast, a three‑run shot in the fourth, tied the game and knocked Kansas City starter Johnny Kucks from the mound.
Cash Provides the Winner
The deciding blow came in the seventh when Norm Cash connected off rookie reliever Ken Johnson for a towering drive that reached the third deck in right field. It was Cash’s fourth home run of the season and the only hit Johnson allowed.
Athletics Build Early Lead
Kansas City struck quickly against Detroit starter Paul Foytack. Whitey Herzog opened the scoring with a three‑run homer in the first, and doubles by Dick Williams and Russ Snyder produced another run in the second. Foytack failed to survive the inning for the second straight start.
The Athletics added two more in the fourth, aided by three walks, a wild pitch, and a throwing error by reliever Ray Semproch, pushing their lead to 6–2.
Detroit’s Home‑Run Barrage
Detroit’s scoring came entirely via the long ball:
- Al Kaline hit a solo homer in the first, his fourth of the year.
- Chrisley homered in the third and again in the fourth.
- Frank Bolling opened the fourth with his first home run of the season.
- Cash delivered the game‑winner in the seventh.
The Tigers collected only nine hits, but five left the park.
Catcher’s Interference Proves Costly
The turning point came in the fourth. With one out and a runner on first, pinch‑hitter Sandy Amoros tapped a potential double‑play ball to shortstop Ken Hamlin. But plate umpire Ed Hurley ruled that catcher Hank Foiles had tipped Amoros’ bat, nullifying the play and putting two runners aboard.
Two batters later, Chrisley’s three‑run homer tied the game.
It was the second straight day an Athletics catcher had been involved in a decisive miscue; on Friday night, Harry Chiti dropped a throw at the plate that allowed Detroit to win in 14 innings.
Sisler Earns the Win
Reliever Dave Sisler earned his first victory of the season with four scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Hank Aguirre worked the final frame for the save.
Notes
- Kansas City’s eight hits included Herzog’s homer and doubles by Williams and Snyder.
- Johnson, a 16‑game winner in the Pacific Coast League last year, retired eight straight after entering — until Cash’s home run.
- Attendance was 7,027 paid, plus 2,600 schoolboys admitted for the afternoon contest.
Courtesy of The Detroit Free Press May 15, 1960 via Newspapers.com