June 11, 1963 - Willie McCovey’s three-run homer and Juan Marichal’s first shutout of the season gave the San Francisco Giants a 3-0 victory over Los Angeles tonight and knocked the Dodgers out of the National League lead. The St. Louis Cardinals took over first place. They moved a game ahead of the Dodgers, who lead San Francisco by only two percentage points. McCovey (pictured) got his homer in the sixth inning off Don Drysdale. Marichal, getting his ninth victory in 12 decisions, allowed 7 hits, struck out 4, and walked none. He became the first San Francisco pitcher to go the distance since he did it against the Dodgers May 24. “I never saw him look any better,” conceded Los Angeles manager Walter Alston. “We kept popping up his fastball. He either had awfully good stuff or was hitting the spots he wanted. There wasn’t anything wrong with his overhand curve either. For that matter, there was good pitching on both sides. Take away McCovey’s homer, and we’re still playing.” McCovey, in connecting off Drysdale, set a Dodger Stadium record. He is the first left-handed batter to pump one into the left-field bullpen. Last year, McCovey murdered Drysdale, averagine .543 off the L.A. right-hander and clouting 7 homers. Up to homer time tonight, it had been a different story in 1963 — one single in nine trips. How come? “I sure don’t know,” Willie confessed. “He’s the best pitcher in the league, but last year I somehow hit him good. This year, no good until now. I don’t know any reasons.” A routine question after ballgames is “What did he hit?” You get answer like this: Drysdale — “He hit a low outside sinker.” McCovey — “I hit a fastball away.” Take your choice. Either way, it went 375 feet and knocked the Dodgers out of first place.
