Apr. 23, 1963 - Juan Marichal survived the longest strike since the newspapers in New York quit publishing and hung on for a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Candlestick Park that boosted the San Francisco Giants into a tie with St. Louis for the National League lead — and the Cards come to San Francisco tomorrow to meet the Giants. Marty Keough of the Reds drilled a 400-foot foul with 2 out in the ninth that would have tied the score had it been a foot to the other side of the right field foul pole. Paul Pryor, the first base umpire, called the foul to the disgust of Keough, who slammed his helmet to the ground and howled to the heavens. “Foul my eye,” screamed Keough after the game. “It was fair by a foot when it went high over the foul pole screen. If it had been lower, it would have hit the screen. What burns me up is the umpire didn’t call it one way or the other until it fell.” One Giant who watched it sail out of the park agreed with the enemy. “In all honesty, I thought it was fair,” said right fielder Felipe Alou. “You asked me, so I have to tell you what I think. But I could be wrong.” As it turned out, it was simply a long strike, and on the next pitch, Marichal fanned Marty, ending the game. The 8,914 customers and manager Alvin Dark heaved a huge sigh of relief as Juan strode from the mound with a big grin. His 6-hitter and complete game gave him a 2-1 record. Joe Nuxhall suffered the defeat, his first since rejoining the Reds at midseason of 1962. Orlando Cepeda led a 10-hit Giant attack with 2 singles and a double. The guy who knocked in the winning run, however was Willie McCovey, who continues to astound with his hitting against left-handers. McCovey drove in José Pagan with a seventh-inning double and scored the insurance tally on Willie Mays’ single. After the game, Marichal said he had “good stuff, didn’t tire, and wanted to finish.” “After going that far, you hate to give up,” he remarked.
