Apr. 16, 1964 - The box score will show that Zoilo Versalles’ three-run triple in the sixth inning powered the Twins 6-2 victory over Washington today. But the turning point of the inning — and the game — was Bob Allison’s slide into second which broke up the Senators’ chance for an inning-ending double play.
With one out in the sixth, Tony Oliva (pictured) sliced a single to left field — one of three hits tonight for the Cuban rookie, who is five-for-10 in his first two major league games. Allison’s chopper off home plate then bounced so high he beat pitcher Carl Bouldin’s throw to first for an infield hit. Then, slow-moving slugger Harmon Killebrew topped a roller to third baseman John Kennedy for a possible double play. Kennedy fired the ball to second baseman Chuck Cottier for the second-out force on Allison. But Bob slid inside the bag to tumble Cottier and break up the double-play pivot. No throw was made.
“I saw Cottier go inside the bag for the throw,” said Allison. “I had to go quite a ways to get him, but I just caught his foot with my legs, and he went down.”
After that, with two out, Earl Battey drew a walk to fill the bases, and Bouldin started working carefully to Versalles. The count went to 1-2 as Bouldin tucked a high fastball under Zoilo’s chin to set up a curve. Versalles was looking for it. He reached out over the plate and pulled a soft fly near the foul line in short left field. The ball dropped from Chuck Hinton’s glove and the umpire signaled fair ball. So, with two outs and all Twin runners on the move, Oliva, Killebrew, and Battey scored for Minnesota’s 4-1 margin on Versalles’ three-base hit of only 200 feet.
Jim Kaat picked up his first victory of 1964.
“In the early innings,” said Jim, “I used my fastball and curve. I had good control of the curve. Later, I went more with the slider.”
“Kaat is tough when he throws hard,” said manager Sam Mele of the Twins. “He was throwing hard tonight.”
As for Oliva, he said: “I just swing, never see that pitcher before.” That’s how little Tony notices — or cares — about the pitcher’s name.
“I pitched against Oliva in 1961,” said Bouldin. “I remember him well. I was at Middlesboro and Oliva hit .410 at Wytheville. Funny thing is, I got him out pretty good that year. But not tonight.”
Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Comments