Koufax Continues to Shatter Records

May 22, 1965 - Relentlessly, Sandy Koufax continues to rewrite the strikeout marks in the record book.

The incomparable southpaw today fanned a dozen Cubs as the Dodgers scored a 3-1 triumph before 17,922 fans at Wrigley Field.

It was the 64th time Koufax has struck out 10 or more batters in a game and the fourth time in succession.

Sandy started his current streak by whiffing 11 Giants and then put 13-strikeout performances back to back against Houston.

In mixing fastballs and half-moon curves, Koufax ran his major league-leading total to 86 K’s in 73 innings, and his career record against the Cubs shows 309 strikeouts in 257 innings. 

Koufax’s strikeout pace slowed down in the last couple of innings.

“Sandy’s elbow stiffened in the cold weather after the long Dodger sixth inning,” trainer Wayne Anderson said. “The elbow will be very, very sore tomorrow, but I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

The punchless Dodgers beat Cal Koonce and the Cubs the way they beat most teams — as opportunists quick to capitalize on enemy flaws forced by their own aggressiveness.

The Cubs weren’t looking for Ron Fairly to steal after he singled in the second, but there he went to get his first swipe of the season and the 11th of his eight-year Dodger career. 

With two away, Dick Tracewski scored Ron with a base hit to the opposite field.

Los Angeles broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with another demonstration of their awesome “power.”

Wes Parker beat out a bunt, Fairly doubled with one away, and John Roseboro was intentionally passed.

Jim Lefebvre tapped a double-play ball toward second baseman Glenn Beckert. Instead of throwing to shortstop Roberto Pena at second, Beckert tagged Roseboro, who barreled into him hard and kept Glenn from relaying the ball to Ernie Banks at first. 

Parker scored, meanwhile, and so did Fairly when Lou Johnson’s half-swing trickler eluded Koonce.

Lefebvre — a top contender for rookie-of-the-year laurels — leads L.A. in extra-base hits, walks, intentional walks, doubles, and strikeouts.

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