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THE TED
WILLIAMS ERA COMES
TO A DRAMATIC END ...
Pete Runnels helps Tom Brewer win
a 2-hitter, with a 1-0 walk-off
May 12, 1960
... Pete Runnels broke a scoreless tie in the
last of the ninth inning with a fly ball that nicked the left field
wall on it's descent, scoring Don Gile from third base. The "wall
ball" double gave the Sox a 1-0 walk-off win over the Chicago White
Sox.
Runnels, who is batting .426 clinched the win for Tom Brewer, who
pitched a complete game masterpiece, and just gave up just two
scattered hits. He served up a double to Minnie Minoso and a single
to Luis Aparicio.
Lu Clinton started the ninth inning with a single to left. Don Gile
tried to sacrifice him over and laid down a perfect bunt between the
pitcher's mound and first base. White Sox pitcher, Bob Shaw raced
over to field the ball as did firstbaseman Roy Sievers. Shaw picked
up the ball, but Sievers was in the way, as Shaw tried to shuffle the
ball over to Nellie Fox, who was covering first. The ball got by him
into short right field. Clinton raced to third while Gile scampered
down to second. Brewer was removed for pinch-hitter Gary Geiger, who
rapped one off Shaw's glove for an infield hit, loading the bases
with still nobody out. With Don Buddin scheduled up, Ted Williams
grabbed a bat and headed to the plate. The best Ted could accomplish
was a slow roller down to Sievers at first, who forced Clinton at the
plate. With the bases still loaded, the stage was set for Pete
Runnels.
The fly ball soared over Minoso's head and as he back-stepped to the
wall. With his back against the scoreboard, the ball bounced
off the bottom and bounded away as Gile scored the winning run. Even
if it had been caught, Gile would have easily been able to tag-up and
score. |
