Cardwell Hurls No‑Hitter as Cubs Defeat Cardinals, 4–0
Newly Acquired Right‑Hander Retires 26 Straight; Defense Preserves Historic Feat
CHICAGO, May 15 — Don Cardwell, a 24‑year‑old right‑hander who joined the Chicago Cubs only two days ago, delivered one of the season’s most remarkable performances Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, pitching a 4–0 no‑hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a doubleheader.
A crowd of 33,543, the largest of the year, watched Cardwell retire 26 consecutive batters after issuing a first‑inning walk. He struck out seven and faced only one over the minimum, throwing just 93 pitches in a game that lasted 1 hour and 46 minutes — the fastest in the majors this season.
Defensive Gems Seal It Late
Cardwell’s bid for history nearly unraveled in the final two innings, but Chicago’s defense rose to the moment. In the eighth, Jerry Kindall made a diving stop to retire Daryl Spencer, and Ed Bouchee, also acquired in Friday’s trade with Philadelphia, smothered Leon Wagner’s sharp grounder.
Pinch‑hitter Stan Musial, who broke up a no‑hit bid against the Cubs last year, struck out on four pitches.
The ninth brought even greater tension. Carl Sawatski drove a deep fly to right, but George Altman made a running catch at the double doors. George Crowe followed with a drive to right‑center that Richie Ashburn hauled in.
With two out, Joe Cunningham lined a sinking shot to left. Walt Moryn charged in and made a one‑handed, shoe‑top catch, preserving the no‑hitter and triggering a jubilant on‑field celebration.
Cubs Provide Support
Chicago scored the only run Cardwell needed in the fifth when Frank Thomas singled, Del Rice followed with a hit‑and‑run single, and Kindall forced in the run with a grounder.
In the sixth, Ashburn walked ahead of Ernie Banks’ seventh home run of the season. Ashburn added a run‑scoring double in the seventh after Kindall singled and stole second.
Cardinals Take First Game
St. Louis won the opener, 6–1, behind Larry Jackson, snapping a long road losing streak. Ken Boyer hit two home runs to break out of a slump, and Jackson held Chicago to four hits.
Historic Notes
- Cardwell’s no‑hitter was the first in the majors since Hoyt Wilhelm blanked the Yankees on Sept. 20, 1958.
- It was the first thrown against the Cardinals in 41 years, dating back to Hod Eller in 1919.
- The last Cubs no‑hitter at Wrigley Field was by Sad Sam Jones on May 12, 1955 — also a 4–0 victory.
Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune May 16, 1960 via Newspapers.com