[kenyan_cheena]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

FRIDAY, 4 JUNE, 1959

CUBS' BATS RUN RED HOT
IN SLAUGHTER OF CINCINNATI

Story by Brian Davison

The Chicago Cubs recorded their fifth consecutive victory yesterday, opening a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds with an explosive 16-2 massacre. Chicago's batters were in devastating form, smashing six home runs with three of them coming in a seven-run 2nd inning. 35 year-old centrefielder Bobby Thomson had hammered a solo shot in the bottom of the 1st for the first run of the day. Johnny Goryl started the 2nd inning slaughter with a two-run shot before Dale Long's three-run bomb cleared the fence in left field, the Cubs scoring five runs before a single out had been recorded in the inning. Rightfielder Lee Walls hit a two-out, two-RBI bullet into the seats in Wrigley's right field some ten minutes later, making the score 8-0.

The Cubs added four more in the 4th to make it 12-2, shortstop Ernie Banks and catcher Sammy Taylor both homering in the frame before another quartet of runs came in the 8th, a pair of doubles from Gene Oliver and substitute leftfielder Chuck Tanner completing the devastation. Every single Cubs starter recorded at least one hit, with Banks the pick of the bunch batting 3-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI, increasing his season tally in that category to 46.

While the offense was on fire Chicago's starting pitcher Bob Anderson was also in fine touch. The 23 year-old went seven innings, giving up just a pair of hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out four. The win was his tenth on the season and seventh in his last eight starts. Anderson's ERA is currently 2.63 and he's on track to obliterate the thirteen wins he had in '58.

"These are the kinds of days we all wish for," said Cubs manager Bob Scheffing. "Everything was in perfect harmony for us: offense, defense and pitching. It was a fun day for us."

Without a doubt, the 36,473 fans in attendance would have agreed with him. The Cubs are now 30-22, 3.5 games behind the league-leading Phillies (34-19). They'll remain at home for the next ten days as after the current series against the Reds finishes on Sunday they'll host the Braves and Dodgers in a pair of three-gamers next week...