In the bottom of the ninth, Joe DiMaggio scores the winning run on a squeeze bunt by Phil Rizzuto off Cleveland starter Bob Lemon, giving the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off victory. The dramatic win breaks the tie for first place with the Tribe, and the Bronx Bombers will stay in front for the rest of the season.
In Chicago, ex-Dodger Gene Hermanski clouts a pinch homer off Clyde King as the Cubs rally for a 5 – 3 win over Brooklyn. The Dodgers also lose Roy Campanella, who leaves the field on a stretcher after being struck in the head by a pitch from Turk Lown. Campy will remain in a Chicago hospital when the Dodgers leave for St. Louis. He will rejoin the team in Brooklyn in a few days.
At Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio’s long triple off Bob Feller scores two runs in the 5th and Allie Reynolds holds on for a 5 – 1 New York win. The Yanks take over first place for good by a margin of .003 points over Cleveland.
In Chicago, the Dodgers beat up on the Cubs, winning, 6 – 1, behind rookie Clem Labine. Rookie Bob Kelly takes the loss, allowing six hits, including Gil Hodges’ 38th homer.
The visiting – and rampaging – Giants sweep the Pirates, 7 – 1 and 6 – 4. Larry Jansen wins his 19th and Sal Maglie collects his 23rd. It is Maglie’s 11th straight win over the Bucs. The Giants collect 29 hits in the two games, including 6 by Al Dark, in handing losses to Howie Pollet and reliever Murry Dickson. The Dodgers’ lead of 4 1/2 is their slimmest since July 4th.
The 7th-place Pirates rise up and collect 15 hits to whip the first-place Dodgers, 11 – 2. Rookie Jack Merson drives home six runs on a triple, double, and two singles.
The Giants trim the Dodger lead to five games when they cash in homers by Bobby Thomson, Willie Mays, and Don Mueller for a 5 – 2 win over Chicago. Sheldon Jones tops Paul Minner.
The Cardinals take 11 walks, a record-tying five by Solly Hemus, and beat the Braves 10 – 1. Boston’s starter Dave Cole walks the first three batters he faces, then hits Enos Slaughter to force in Hemus.
Preacher Roe wins his 20th game against just two losses, as the Dodgers edge the Pirates, 3 – 1. Andy Pafko hits his 14th homer for Brooklyn, still six games ahead of the Giants.
At Yankee Stadium, the Yanks move into first place with a 5 – 1 win over the Indians. Joe DiMaggio triples in the 5th with two on to send the Yanks on their way.
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