Reds Take Top Spot in National League

May 2, 1965 - Cincinnati’s red-hot Reds boomed into unshared possession of first place in the National League today by coming from behind in both games to sweep a free-scoring twin bill from the lowly Mets, 9-4 and 10-8, before a cheering Crosley Field crowd of 17,242.

There were few dull moments during the five hours and 48 minutes of play, which saw the Reds assault the offerings of 11 Met pitchers for 23 assorted hits, including four homers.

An eight-run fifth inning enabled the Reds to breeze to victory in the opener, but it required a two-run homer in the seventh inning by Gordy Coleman to pull the finale out of the sire.

In the opener, the Reds, currently the most explosive club in the majors, bunched eight of their 12 hits, including rookie Art Shamsky’s first major league homer in the fifth, to enable Jim Maloney to breeze to his third victory.

All of the runs were scored after two men had been retired. Then the Reds banged out seven straight hits, three short of the major league record for consecutive hits in one inning. Chico Cardenas doubled twice as three Met pitchers served ‘em and ducked.

Some of the ineptitude of Met pitching, easily the worst in the majors, can be gained from the figures from their last five games, which show 23 pitchers being shelled for 46 runs and 61 hits, almost unbelievable figures for a major league club.

The last Met pitcher of this horrific road trip was their 44-year-old pitching coach, Warren Spahn. He threw the eighth inning in today’s nightcap and surrendered a homer to John Edwards.

Spahn set the tone of the post-game clubhouse.

“I don’t know what the hell is wrong,” he snapped. “If I did know, I’d do something about it, right?”

Tommy Parsons, who pitched poorly in both games today, shook his head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” said the 6-7 hurler. “But just remember: every dog has its day.”

Some of the dogs may not have many more days.

“It ain’t that easy, switching men,” said manager Casey Stengel. “But I am going to meet with Mr. [George] Weiss in New York. Maybe we’ll do something. But damn, I can’t fire ‘em all.”

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