At Chicago‚ Ernie Banks makes his debut in left field and goes 1 for 4 with no errors. But the Cubs lose‚ 2 – 1‚ in 10 innings to the Phillies.

At Chicago‚ Ernie Banks makes his debut in left field and goes 1 for 4 with no errors. But the Cubs lose‚ 2 – 1‚ in 10 innings to the Phillies.

 Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ryne Duren posts four strikeouts in the 7th inning against the Chicago White Sox. He strikes out Minnie Miñoso, Roy Sievers, J.C. Martin, and Sammy Esposito to tie a major league record, in the 6 – 4 loss to the White Sox.

 Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ryne Duren posts four strikeouts in the 7th inning against the Chicago White Sox. He strikes out Minnie Miñoso, Roy Sievers, J.C. Martin, and Sammy Esposito to tie a major league record, in the 6 – 4 loss to the White Sox.

Teammates Felipe and Matty Alou both homer in the Giants’ 14-1 victory over Chicago at Candlestick Park. Felipe’s grand slam in the first inning scores the first four runs of the game, and his younger brother’s puts on the finishing touch of the rout with an eighth-inning round-tripper.

Teammates Felipe and Matty Alou both homer in the Giants’ 14-1 victory over Chicago at Candlestick Park. Felipe’s grand slam in the first inning scores the first four runs of the game, and his younger brother’s puts on the finishing touch of the rout with an eighth-inning round-tripper.

The American Basketball League’s Cleveland Pipers, owned by George Steinbrenner, hire John McLendon, Jr. as the franchise’s head coach, making him the first African American to be named to a top leadership position in any major professional sport. The well-respected college coach, leaving the post midway through the 1961-62 ABL season, will become the first of many of the future Yankee owner’s employees to resign over the years due to interference from the front office.

The American Basketball League’s Cleveland Pipers, owned by George Steinbrenner, hire John McLendon, Jr. as the franchise’s head coach, making him the first African American to be named to a top leadership position in any major professional sport. The well-respected college coach, leaving the post midway through the 1961-62 ABL season, will become the first of many of the future Yankee owner’s employees to resign over the years due to interference from the front office.

The Alou brothers and Orlando Cepeda lead an 18-hit attack as San Francisco overpowers the Cubs, 14 – 1. Dick Ellsworth gives up six runs in the 1st without retiring a batter. Cepeda hits two homers and a double and drives in five runs, while Felipe Alou hits his first grand slam and brother Matty Alou his first major league homer. Matty will combine with Jesus Alou in 1965 to homer in the same game. Mike McCormick is the easy winner.

The Alou brothers and Orlando Cepeda lead an 18-hit attack as San Francisco overpowers the Cubs, 14 – 1. Dick Ellsworth gives up six runs in the 1st without retiring a batter. Cepeda hits two homers and a double and drives in five runs, while Felipe Alou hits his first grand slam and brother Matty Alou his first major league homer. Matty will combine with Jesus Alou in 1965 to homer in the same game. Mike McCormick is the easy winner.

Mike McCormick fires his second 3-hit shutout of the year, stopping the Pirates, 3 – 0. The Giants are 3-up, 3-down in eight of the nine innings, but score three in the 5th, two on McCormick’s single.

Mike McCormick fires his second 3-hit shutout of the year, stopping the Pirates, 3 – 0. The Giants are 3-up, 3-down in eight of the nine innings, but score three in the 5th, two on McCormick’s single.

The Cardinals tie a major-league record when three pinch hitters – Charlie James, Don Taussig and Alex Grammas – strike out in the 9th inning against the Reds. Cincinnati’s Bill Henry pitches just the 9th to save the 3 – 2 win, the Reds’ 9th in a row.

The Cardinals tie a major-league record when three pinch hitters – Charlie James, Don Taussig and Alex Grammas – strike out in the 9th inning against the Reds. Cincinnati’s Bill Henry pitches just the 9th to save the 3 – 2 win, the Reds’ 9th in a row.

The White Sox purchase Wes Covington from the Braves. Covington will play for four teams this season, before settling in with a number of solid years for the Phillies.

The White Sox purchase Wes Covington from the Braves. Covington will play for four teams this season, before settling in with a number of solid years for the Phillies.

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Baltimore Orioles slugger Jim Gentile becomes the first major leaguer to hit grand slams in consecutive innings

On May 9, 1961, Baltimore Orioles slugger Jim Gentile of the Orioles becomes the third player to hit grand slams in consecutive innings (after Tony Lazzeri in 1936 and Jim Tabor in 1939; Rudy York also hit two grand slams in a game in 1946, but not in consecutive innings) when he belts one-off Pedro…