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7/17/1961: The Yankees were leading 4-1 in the top of the fifth in Baltimore when the game was rained out. In that game, scheduled as the second game of a doubleheader, both Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit homers off Hal Brown. Maris’ came in the first with two out and no one on while Mantle blasted his leading off the fourth. In addition Marv Throneberry of the Orioles homered in the second with the bases empty as did Clete Boyer of the Yankees in the 3rd, making a total of 4 homers lost to rain in this one game.

ByTom

7/17/1961: The Yankees were leading 4-1 in the top of the fifth in Baltimore when the game was rained out. In that game, scheduled as the second game of a doubleheader, both Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle hit homers off Hal Brown. Maris’ came in the first with two out and no one on while Mantle blasted his leading off the fourth. In addition Marv Throneberry of the Orioles homered in the second with the bases empty as did Clete Boyer of the Yankees in the 3rd, making a total of 4 homers lost to rain in this one game.

Sandy Koufax leaves after one inning of a 7 – 5 loss at Cincinnati. The 14-game winner has a circulatory problem in the index finger and palm of his pitching hand and will be sidelined until late September.

ByBaseball

Sandy Koufax leaves after one inning of a 7 – 5 loss at Cincinnati. The 14-game winner has a circulatory problem in the index finger and palm of his pitching hand and will be sidelined until late September.

Minnie Minoso scores on pass ball to 6-1 win

Minnie Minoso scores on pass ball to 6-1 win

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 14 1961, With Juan Pizarro at bat, Yankees pitcher Rollie Sheldon covers the plate after unleashing a wild pitch. Minnie Minoso slides in safely avoiding the tag after catcher Elston Howard recovered the ball and threw back to home. Sheldon will then toss another wild one to Pizarro that will allow Sox backstop…

Roberto Clemente erases a 4 – 1 deficit with his two-out, 8th-inning, game-winning grand slam, hit “high and far into the black night, over the 410-foot sign in center-field,” according to Bob Stevens of the San Francisco Chronicle. UPI’s Scott Baillie elaborates, describing “a ball that took off low and gathered altitude like a jet as Willie Mays vainly scaled the left center field fence.” The Bucs tack on one more to beat the Giants by a final score of 6 – 4. The Chronicle’s Phil Berman collars Clemente for some post-game comments: “‘I was looking for an inside pitch,’ said Clemente. ‘I don’t know whether it was a fastball or not, but it came in a little inside and I was ready for it. I know it went out of here fast,’ he grinned. Although Clemente’s drive clears the centerfield fence like a shot, the Pirate outfielder recalls it is not the hardest ball he has hit here. ‘Last year I hit one harder to the left field bleachers (May 6, 1960). That was a high fly ball. But this was a line drive. And I liked this hit better because it won the game.'”

ByBaseball

Roberto Clemente erases a 4 – 1 deficit with his two-out, 8th-inning, game-winning grand slam, hit “high and far into the black night, over the 410-foot sign in center-field,” according to Bob Stevens of the San Francisco Chronicle. UPI’s Scott Baillie elaborates, describing “a ball that took off low and gathered altitude like a jet as Willie Mays vainly scaled the left center field fence.” The Bucs tack on one more to beat the Giants by a final score of 6 – 4. The Chronicle’s Phil Berman collars Clemente for some post-game comments: “‘I was looking for an inside pitch,’ said Clemente. ‘I don’t know whether it was a fastball or not, but it came in a little inside and I was ready for it. I know it went out of here fast,’ he grinned. Although Clemente’s drive clears the centerfield fence like a shot, the Pirate outfielder recalls it is not the hardest ball he has hit here. ‘Last year I hit one harder to the left field bleachers (May 6, 1960). That was a high fly ball. But this was a line drive. And I liked this hit better because it won the game.'”

At Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Phillies top the Dodgers, 7 – 5, in 10 innings. Phils reliever Jack Baldschun pitches in his 8th straight game to pick up the win.

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At Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Phillies top the Dodgers, 7 – 5, in 10 innings. Phils reliever Jack Baldschun pitches in his 8th straight game to pick up the win.

Willie Kirkland whacks his 5th home run in three games to help the Cleveland Indians down the Los Angeles Angels, 7 – 5 at Cleveland. His first four were in consecutive at bats before and after the All-Star break and tied the major league record. He now has 16 en route to 27 for the year.

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Willie Kirkland whacks his 5th home run in three games to help the Cleveland Indians down the Los Angeles Angels, 7 – 5 at Cleveland. His first four were in consecutive at bats before and after the All-Star break and tied the major league record. He now has 16 en route to 27 for the year.

Chicago’s Early Wynn gets an early departure as he retires just two Yankees in the 1st inning. Then Mickey Mantle (30th) and Roger Maris (34th) belt back-to-back homers to send the vet to the showers. For Mantle, it is the 13th homer in his career off Wynn, his favorite target. New York wins, 6 – 2

ByBaseball

Chicago’s Early Wynn gets an early departure as he retires just two Yankees in the 1st inning. Then Mickey Mantle (30th) and Roger Maris (34th) belt back-to-back homers to send the vet to the showers. For Mantle, it is the 13th homer in his career off Wynn, his favorite target. New York wins, 6 – 2