Apr. 12, 1963 - Manager Walter Alston shrugged off reports today of dissension on the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I’m a darned sight more concerned about this club scoring some runs than I am about dissension,” Alston said, adding: “Stories get started sometimes and they become exaggerated. Every time you lose two or three in a row that’s what they start saying — dissension on the club.” The Dodgers lost to the Colts today in Houston, 2-1, in 12 innings. The loss was the Dodgers’ second straight low-hit defeat. An error by substitute shortstop Don Zimmer in the final inning, the Dodgers’ sixth fielding error in four games, paved the way for the Texans to end their three-game losing streak. After leadoff man Al Spangler singled and was bunted along by Pete Runnels, rookie Rusty Staub was intentionally walked by L.A.’s third pitcher, Ed Roebuck. A Dodger alumnus, Bob Aspromonte, then hit a grounder that was booted by Zimmer. Howie Goss, a recent arrival from the Pittsburgh Pirates, slapped his fourth single of the night past Jim Gilliam at third to win the game for the Colts, to the great delight of 12,044 fans. In other Dodger news, Maury Wills took batting practice today, but still couldn’t put much pressure on his gimpy left ankle. He will be happy, he said, if he’s ready for Tuesday’s home opener against the Chicago Cubs.
