The Kansas City Athletics score 2 runs in the 9th to tie the Washington Senators at 5 apiece, then score another 2 runs in the 17th to win, 7 – 6. The tying run scores on a wild pitch by Camilo Pascual and the winner comes on a Jim Finigan homer.
Detroit’s Red Wilson belts a two-run home run in the bottom of the 9th to give the Tigers a 3 – 2 win against the Yankees. The loss goes to Whitey Ford, his first following six wins. Ford had given up just five earned runs through 54 innings before today.
At Kansas City, Mickey Mantle clouts a drive over the second and more distance fence in right field to help the Yankees win, 8 – 5. The drive, off Moe Burtschy, matches homers to that spot by Larry Doby and Suitcase Simpson.
The White Sox send 3B George Kell, OF Bob Nieman, and pitchers Mike Fornieles and Connie Johnson to the Orioles for P Jim Wilson and OF Dave Philley. Kell will play solid 3B until Brooks Robinson is ready, while Johnson will lead the Birds’ starters in wins in 1957.
On May 19, 1956, Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Dale Long’s eighth-inning Forbes Field’s two-run homerun against Chicago cubs reliver Jim Davis is the first in a string of eight consecutive games in which the Pirates’ first baseman will homer. The Adam, MA native’s major league mark will also be accomplished by Don Mattingly (Yankees, 1987) and Ken…
On May 18, 1956, Mickey Mantle hits home runs from both sides of the plate for the third time in his career, setting a major league record. Mantle’s day includes four hits in four at-bats, helping the New York Yankees to an 8-7 win over the Chicago White Sox.
May 17, 1956 – In New York’s Polo Grounds, Warren Spahn outpitched Ruben Gomez for a 7-3 Braves victory. Spahn helped his cause by singling twice, scoring a run, and even stealing a base against a surprised Ruben Gomez.
Due to his slow start in his sophomore season, the Cardinals trade Bill Virdon, last year’s Rookie of the Year, to the Pirates in exchange for Bobby Del Greco and Dick Littlefield. The 25 year-old outfielder will finish the season hitting .334 in 133 games for the Bucs and will play a vital role in the team’s World Championship in 1960.
In Jersey City, Cards RF Wally Moon hits his first major league home run, but St. Louis loses, 5 – 3, to the Dodgers. The Dodgers score five unearned runs in the 4th.
On a blustery day in Cleveland, the Yankees top the Indians, 4 – 1. Mickey Mantle hits a homer off Bud Daley, while his pal Billy Martin is benched for the first time. Bobby Richardson takes his place at 2B.
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