Sept. 11, 1963 - Maury Wills gave the kind of performance tonight that earned him the National League’s MVP award last season. Maury’s batting and base-running stole the show as the Dodgers drubbed Pittsburgh, 9-4, at Forbes Field to protect their lead in the chase to the wire. The Cardinals stayed three games off the pace by blanking the Cubs, 4-0. Before flying out in the eighth, the Dodger shortstop singled three times and added a two-bagger, stole his 31st and 32nd bases of the season, scored three times, and knocked in two runs. To round out his evening, Wills figured in three double playsthat helped squelch the Pirates. As L.A.’s magic number dropped to 14, Pittsburgh was mathetmatically eliminated from pennant contention. Don Drysdale started for the Dodgers but wasn’t up to snuff and gave way to Pete Richert after Roberto Clemente and Smoky Burgess led off the fourth with singles. “I felt like I had a slow leak tonight. I was very weak when Alston came out to the mount to take me out,” said a weary Drysdale after the game. Drysdale has been taking treatment for the shingles, but he hasn’t missed a starting assignement. “Alston was right when he removed Drysdale,” said Don’t batterymate, Johnny Roseboro. “Don wasn’t throwing his ‘heavy’ ball, and the Pirates were digging in against him.” Drysdale leads both leagues in innings pitched (287⅓) and games started (38).
