Cubs Outlast Dodgers in 14 Innings, 4–3, as Zimmer Delivers Decisive Hit
Koufax Fans 15 but Falters Late; Chicago Scores Only Four Hits Yet Claims Series Opener
CHICAGO, May 28 — A long afternoon of missed chances and dominant pitching finally turned the Cubs’ way in the 14th inning Saturday at Wrigley Field, where Don Zimmer’s single to right brought home the winning run and sealed a 4–3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The game lasted 4 hours and 12 minutes, featured only four Chicago hits, and ended the Dodgers’ five‑game winning streak. The Cubs’ bullpen, led by Don Elston, held Los Angeles scoreless over the final four innings.
Koufax Brilliant, but Win Slips Away
Dodger left‑hander Sandy Koufax was overpowering for most of the day, striking out 15 and allowing only two hits through eight innings. He appeared headed for a 3–2 victory until Frank Thomas drove a two‑out, ninth‑inning home run into the left‑field seats to tie the game.
It was Thomas’ eighth homer of the season and his second run‑producing hit of the day.
Koufax remained sharp into extra innings, retiring nine straight Cubs in the 11th, 12th, and 13th, but fatigue finally showed in the 14th when he issued consecutive walks to Ed Bouchee and Ernie Banks.
Manager Walt Alston replaced him with Ed Roebuck, who inherited a difficult situation.
Zimmer Ends It
Roebuck quickly got ahead of Thomas, who failed to bunt, but Bouchee was caught off second base on a snap throw from catcher John Roseboro and narrowly reached third on the rundown — the third stolen base of his career.
Alston then ordered Thomas intentionally walked to load the bases. Earl Averill lined out to short left, but Zimmer followed with a drive into right that fell beyond Frank Howard’s reach, scoring Bouchee and ending the game.
Zimmer had been hitless in 17 straight at‑bats against his former club before the winning swing.
Dodgers Build Early Lead
Los Angeles took a 2–1 lead in the third inning. Maury Wills beat out an infield roller, Jim Gilliam doubled him home, and rookie Tom Davis singled to left for another run.
Davis tripled in the sixth and scored when Richie Ashburn’s throw home sailed wide, giving the Dodgers a 3–1 advantage.
Cubs Scratch Out Runs
Chicago scored in the first on two walks and Thomas’ single. Their second run came in the sixth when Ashburn and Bouchee walked, and Banks’ grounder resulted in a throwing error by Charlie Neal, allowing Ashburn to score.
The Cubs did not record another hit until Thomas’ ninth‑inning homer.
Chicago Relief Strong
Starter Dick Ellsworth worked eight solid innings, allowing six hits. Seth Morehead extended his scoreless relief streak to 11 innings, and Elston (3–3) held the Dodgers to three singles over the final four frames.
Notes
- Koufax now has 58 strikeouts in 52 innings, but fell to 1–5 despite a 15‑strikeout performance.
- Attendance was 13,605 on a warm, sunny afternoon.
- Davis finished with two hits, including a triple, and scored twice.
- Both clubs face long flights west after Sunday’s finale, with Johnny Podres scheduled to face Don Cardwell.
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Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune May 29, 1960 via Newspapers.com