May 8, 1963 - Earl Wilson (pictured right with Harry Dorish and Bill Monbouquette) pitched one of the better games of his career in the chill of Baltimore Stadium last night as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Orioles, 5-1. By winning, the Sox went into first place, as the Yankees lost to the Tigers and the Athletics were beaten by Chicago. Retiring 19 of his first 21 hitters while yielding only an infield single and a walk, the 6-foot-3 Wilson, employing mostly a fastball and slider, went on to pitch a three-hitter against the team that had been picked to threaten the Yankees for the American League pennant. Wilson granted only two singles, a double, and three walks. Wilson’s success in the early going was aided by a superb catch by Carl Yastrzemski in the fourth inning in left field. In the first inning, the Sox got four hits but scored only once. This run was batted in by Yastrzemski, with a single to left following singles by Chuck Schilling and Ed Bressoud. Later, Yastrzemski’s base-running combined with Frank Malzone’s third consecutive single, provided the third run. With one down, Yaz lined a single to center. With two out, he stole second and took third on Johnny Orsino’s low throw. Lu Clinton walked, the only unintentional pass Robin Roberts has issued in 41 innings this season. Then Malzone singled Yastrzemski across. The triumph was the first of the season at night for the Red Sox, who had been beaten in all five earlier starts under the lights.
