[kenyan_cheena]

The New York Age

FRIDAY, 28 MAY, 1959

YANKEES DECIMATE ORIOLES
IN SERIES FINALE

Story by Louis Greenberg

Thanks to some explosive batting and a complete game gem from Whitey Ford the New York Yankees recorded a comprehensive 13-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday afternoon in the final matchup of a three-game series in the Bronx. The Yankees made the most of an inactive day for the American League-leading Detroit Tigers, improving to 25-19 and once again shortening the gap between themselves and the Michigan ballclub to three games. The Yankees were well served by 2nd baseman Gil McDougald and veteran catcher Yogi Berra with McDougald batting leadoff and going 2-for-3 with four RBI, including a three-run homer in the 4th inning. Berra also produced a three-run shot, his coming in the 8th. Berra leads the Bronx Bombers in both home runs (14) and RBI (39), numbers that are both near the top of the American League leaderboard.

On the mound Ford was in total command, holding the Orioles to seven hits while walking four and striking out four, throwing 150 pitches. He's now 6-4 on the season with an ERA of 3.63. Ford was named Player of the Game for the third time this season. In twelve starts the four-time All-Star has failed to reach the eighth inning just once and, unsurprisingly, is ranked in the top ten in the majors for innings pitched with 98.2.

Oklahoma-born centrefielder Mickey Mantle is considered the real superstar of the Yankees lineup and he also had an impressive outing, batting 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. The 27 year-old is hitting .368 on the season with thirteen home runs and 31 RBI and spoke of how important it was for his ballclub to stay in touch with the Tigers through these early months of the season.

"It's one of the things we've picked up from years of experience in these pennant races," said Mantle. "You can never underestimate the importance of April and May. If you just coast on through it can come back to bite you in September. We're a ballclub that's enjoyed a lot of success and we're relishing the challenge that the Tigers are providing us with."

The Orioles were 17-18 back on the 16th but since then have lost nine of ten (including yesterday's massacre) to fall to 18-27. It doesn't get any easier for them as they face visits to Detroit and Washington during the next seven days. The Yankees still have ten more games to play on this current home stand, starting today against the White Sox and continuing next week when the Blues and Senators come to town...