A computer named Casey is used to predict Roger Maris’ chances of passing Babe Ruth’s record of 60 home runs in 154 games. The IBM 1481 believes the Yankee slugger has a 55 percent chance of hitting 61 round-trippers to establish a new single-season mark for homers.

1961 – At Milwaukee, the Braves take over 3rd place from the Giants with a 13-inning, 7 – 6 victory. Eddie Mathews ends the game with his 26th homer. For San Francisco, Willie McCovey cracks his 16th homer for his third hit of the game, and the 20th hit in 45 at bats since his return to the Giants’ lineup. The Braves recognize a hot bat when they see one and, with first base open in the 11th, walk McCovey to get to Willie Mays. Mays earlier drove in his 100th run, but grounds out to end the inning.

At Washington, Rocky Colavito and Al Kaline belt 1st-inning homers as Detroit wins, 7 – 3 to cut New York’s lead to 1 1/2 games. Rocky now has 39 homers and 120 RBIs. Jake Wood hits a 6th inning grand slam to complete the scoring for Detroit.

At LA’s Wrigley Field, Baltimore takes advantage of the friendly confines to hit five home runs and beat the Angels 11 – 5. Jack Fisher has a complete game win, despite allowing 12 walks. The game is the last for Paul Richards as the manager for Baltimore.

The Orioles’ Milt Pappas is the whole show as he blanks the Twins, 3 – 0. He allows just two hits while belting two homers. Eddie Robinson adds a homer.

With first place on the line after the Dodgers have won two games from them, Cincinnati rallies from a 5 – 1 deficit to a 6 – 5 first-game win over Los Angeles. Gene Freese hits a 3-run homer in the 7th and Wally Post adds a 2-run double in the 8th. Rookie Ken Johnson is an 8 – 3 winner in the nightcap as the Reds pummel Don Drysdale. The sweep gives the Reds a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League.

Detroit’s Rocky Colavito ties an American League record with four home runs – three in the second game, in a doubleheader pummeling of the Senators, 7 – 4 and 10 – 1 at Washington.