THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
MONDAY, 26 JULY, 1959
THOMSON GRAND SLAM HELPS
CUBS SECURE SWEEP OF PHILLIES
Story by Brian Davison
In front of a near-capacity 38,391 fans the Chicago Cubs scored a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field yesterday to complete a three-game series sweep of their closest rivals in the National League pennant race. The victory was the Cubs' thirteenth in seventeen games and saw them improve to 58-39, 3.5 games ahead of the Phillies (55-43). The win was built on another fantastic outing from 25 year-old starter Bob Conley who went 7.2 innings and gave up six hits, also striking out six as he upped his record to 16-5. However, the highlight of the game was a grand slam home run from centrefielder Bobby Thomson in the 5th, the shot to deep right-centre accounting for all the Cubs's scoring on the night.
One had to feel some sympathy for Phillies starter Camilo Pascual. The Cuban native conceeded just four hits in eight innings of work to fall to 11-8 on the season. The series was a missed opportunity for Philadelphia as they were only outscored by a combined total of four runs in the three games and outhit the Cubs 22-19. A 2-1 series win would have seen them with a half-game league lead but instead they now find themselves 3.5 behind and with some work to do to get back on level terms.
"This was a huge series for us and I'm pretty relieved we've come through it like this," said Cubs manager Bob Scheffing. "It gives us a little bit of breathing room which is always handy to have. I'm really proud with the way the boys have performed during these last couple of weeks. They've put themselves in a position where they control their own destiny and although there's still a long way to go, it's a good position to be in."