Apr. 21, 1964 - Nine homers, one short of the National League single-game record, were clouted this afternoon in wind-swept Wrigley Field. The Cubs collected five of them, but Gene Freese’s pinch homer with two aboard in the ninth decided the slugfest in favor of the Pirates, 8-5. Roberto Clemente, Dick Schofield, and Jim Pagliaroni were the other three home run hitters for the winners.
The Cub homers — all solo shots — were by Jimmy Stewart, Andre Rodgers, Ron Santo, Billy Cowan, and Billy Williams. Twice Chicago sluggers gave rookie lefty Fred Norman the lead, but he kept throwing the gopher ball along with the Buc hurlers and finally served up the one that did him in.
Vernon Law, making his first start for the Pirates since last July 17, dished up the Cubs’ first four home runs. Williams went deep off rookie Frank Bork.
Freese’s game-winning smash over the left field stands followed a single by Schofield, a wild pitch, and an intentional walk to Clemente. It was Clemente’s third successive intentional walk, and that tied a National League record.
The most home runs in a single National League game by both clubs is 10, held by five teams in four games. The major league record is 11, Yankees vs. Tigers, June 23, 1950 — New York 6, Detroit 5, at Briggs Stadium.
Cub manager Bob Kennedy was ejected from today’s game because he told umpire Ken Burkhart, who was working behind home plate, “Burkhart, you’re hopeless.” It was the second time in Kennedy’s two seasons as Cub pilot that he has been tossed even though he used no profanity. After the game, he promised: “Next time, I’ll give them a real reason.”
The dismissal today resulted from a disputed play at first when Elroy Face made a double play out of a pop fly that fell near the bag. The Cubs contended that Andre Rodgers, the batter, should have been out for interference when he bumped Donn Clendenon, the first baseman, and that Ron Santo, who was caught off the base, should have been awarded possession.
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