Pirates Outlast Reds in 11 Innings, 4–3, After Ninth‑Inning Cincinnati Rally
Clemente’s Single Ends Long, Tense Afternoon Marked by Disputes and Ejections
PITTSBURGH, May 31 — A long, uneven ballgame at Forbes Field finally tilted the Pirates’ way in the 11th inning Tuesday night, when Roberto Clemente bounced a single into center field to give Pittsburgh a 4–3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The contest featured late‑inning rallies, repeated threats by both clubs, and a series of arguments that left several Cincinnati players ejected by plate umpire Frank Secory.
The win was Pittsburgh’s fourth straight and came in the debut of left‑hander Vinegar Bend Mizell, who worked into the ninth before tiring.
Reds’ Disputes Lead to Ejections
Tempers flared in the 10th when a full‑count pitch struck Gino Cimoli. Cincinnati pitcher Cal McLish argued that Cimoli had swung, and the Reds’ bench erupted. Secory ejected Joe Nuxhall, who had already left the game, and later removed catcher Dutch Dotterer and several bench players for continued protests.
The tension carried into the 11th, when McLish walked Smoky Burgess and was replaced by Claude Osteen. After Bob Skinner walked, Secory cleared additional Reds from the dugout for persistent complaints.
Clemente Ends It
With two on and none out, Dick Groat pushed a bunt toward the mound. Osteen mishandled it, loading the bases with no play. Manager Fred Hutchinson summoned Jay Hook to face Clemente, who grounded a sharp single into center to score pinch‑runner Bill Virdon.
It was Clemente’s second run‑producing hit of the night.
Reds Tie It in the Ninth
Pittsburgh led 3–1 entering the ninth behind Mizell, who had allowed only four hits through eight innings. But Gus Bell was hit by a pitch, Frank Robinson doubled, and Lee Walls singled to score Bell. Reliever Fred Green replaced Mizell and allowed the tying run on a force play before escaping further damage.
Both Clubs Miss Chances in Extras
Cincinnati loaded the bases with none out in the 10th on three straight singles, including an infield hit. But Robinson grounded into a home‑to‑first double play, and after an intentional walk to Jerry Lynch, Tony González struck out.
In the 11th, the Reds again put runners at second and third with one out. Ed Kasko lined to Bill Mazeroski, and after an intentional walk to Vada Pinson, Gus Bell lined out to Mazeroski to end the threat.
Pirates Build Early Lead
Pittsburgh scored twice in the second inning on a double by Hal Smith, an infield hit by Cimoli, a sacrifice fly by Mazeroski, and a single by Skinner. Groat doubled home Cimoli for a 3–0 lead.
Cincinnati scored in the fourth when Pinson tripled and came home on Bell’s fly to right.
Pitching Summary
- Mizell worked eight-plus innings, allowing three runs on seven hits.
- Green and Roy Face combined for three scoreless innings, with Face earning the win.
- Cincinnati used eight pitchers, with Hook taking the loss.
Notes
- The Reds stranded 10 runners in the final four innings.
- Pittsburgh left six in the last two frames before scoring the winner.
- Attendance was 20,494 for the night game.
Courtesy of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette June 1, 1960 via Newspapers.com