June 23, 1963 - Jim Gilliam’s 3-run homer in the fifth inning today carried the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Gilliam, who also scored the first Los Angeles run, socked what proved to be the clincher off Ernie Broglio following a walk and Maury Wills’s single. “When I hit a home run, I’m as surprised as any guy in the stands,” said Gilliam after the game. “I go up to bat to drive in a run or avoid a double play — that’s all.” However, when Broglio got a slider belt-high instead of at the knees, Jim could not resist the temptation. “I put the ball right in his wheelhouse,” said Broglio, beaten for only the third time in 10 decisions. “By the way, I’m 0-2 on national television,” Ernie added. Gilliam, a mild-mannered fellow, was later tossed out of the game by umpire Mel Steiner for protesting a called third strike after Wills singled and stole his 17th base with two out in the seventh. The sensitive Mr. Steiner also tossed Dodger manager Walter Alston for saying certain magic words during the argument, and coach Leo Durocher was left in command. Today’s winning pitcher was Bob Miller, who took over for Johnny Podres with none out in the first after Dick Groat had hit a two-run homer. Miller went six innings. He allowed four hits and one run, the tally on triples by Tim McCarver and Julian Javier in the last of the fifth. Ron Perranoski pitched the final three innings for Los Angeles. After the game, Cardinal coach Red Schoendienst had high praise for Perranoski. “He has excellent control, keeps the ball low, and comes up with that little extra on a pitch when he has to,” Schoendienst said. Despite today’s setback, the Cards kept their half-game lead over San Francisco, as the Giants lost, 10-4, at Milwaukee.
