June 27, 1964 - It may take an act of Congress for Washington to stop Baltimore’s Boog Powell (right with Milt Pappas).
Two Senator pitchers couldn’t handle him today as the Orioles’ one-man assault force slammed three home runs that ushered the Birds to a 3-1 decision at D.C. Stadium.
The triumph, eighth in the last nine starts, enabled the Orioles to maintain a 3½-game lead over the Yankees, who were 10-inning 5-4 victors over Detroit this afternoon.
Supplementing the three-hit mound handiwork of Milt Pappas and two perfect frames of heat-relief aid from Stu Miller, Powell equaled his own club record while extending the Flock’s latest win streak to five games.
The 22-year-old Oriole left fielder, whose four-bagger touched off a five-run 13th-inning rally for a 9-4 victory last night after his single in the ninth forged a 4-4 tie, now has connected for the circuit four times in his last five plate appearances.
In five D.C. Stadium contests this season, Powell has slugged six homers.
And there remains another 2 p.m. opportunity for Powell against Washington tomorrow, unless President Johnson intervenes.
With a burst of 7 homers in Baltimore’s last five games against the Yanks and Washington, Powell now has 20 in 69 games — only 5 less than he poled in 140 contests last year.
“I never saw Ruth, but I guarantee Ruth couldn’t have hit any better against us than this boy has. What he’s done here is outrageous to the guys wearing white.”
Gil Hodges, in his second season as manager of the Senators, sat in his office and shoot his head as he contemplated Powell latest destructive display.
“Not only does he hit three homers in one game twice in two years, but both times in the same park — and it has to be ours.
“What is he — 22? He’s a big, strong boy, still on his way up. He’ll hit 50 or more when he gets both feet on the ground and more experience — no question about it.”
“Boog, you got to sleep here tonight!” yelled Luis Aparicio from his locker across the Orioles’ dressing room. “You might get hurt going home!”
“Yes,” agreed the 6-5 redhead. “If I could pick any park I’d like to hit in, it would be this one — and for obvious reasons, believe me.
“The pitches were a fastball, a curve, and a knuckleball. I was just swinging the bat the same way I always do — nothing different.
“I’m getting more contact this year. I’m not trying for homers. I’m just fortunate to get the ball up. It carries good here.”
“Yes, I would have to say that this is Boog’s park,” nodded Oriole manager Hank Bauer.
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