Bond’s Blast seals Colts Victory in the Opener

April 13, 1964 — Crosley Field, Cincinnati
The Houston Colt .45s spoiled Opening Day at Crosley Field Monday afternoon, rallying in the seventh inning to edge the Cincinnati Reds 2–1 in the first National League game of Earl’s 1964 Replay season. Walt Bond provided the decisive blow, smashing a two-run homer off Cincinnati ace Jim Maloney after Nellie Fox opened the inning with a single.
For six innings it appeared Maloney and the Reds were headed toward a successful opener. Cincinnati pushed across a run in the third when Chico Ruiz lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Leo Cardenas. Vada Pinson and Frank Robinson paced the Reds with two hits apiece, but Ken Johnson repeatedly worked out of trouble and kept Cincinnati from adding to its slim lead.
Johnson scattered six hits over 7⅔ strong innings to earn the victory, while Hal Woodeshick came on in the eighth and closed the door for the save. Maloney was sharp despite the loss, striking out nine Houston batters in a complete-game effort before giving way to Sammy Ellis in the ninth. The Reds threatened in the eighth when Tommy Harper singled as a pinch hitter, but Woodeshick retired Pinson on strikes to preserve Houston’s lead and send the Crosley Field faithful home disappointed on Opening Day.

Brinkman Homers Twice; Hunt’s Sacrifice Fly Beats Angels In 14th

WASHINGTON, April 13 — The Washington Senators opened Earl’s 1964 Replay American League season in dramatic fashion Monday afternoon, outlasting the Los Angeles Angels, 4–3, in a marathon 14-inning battle before a delighted Opening Day crowd at D.C. Stadium. Ken Hunt’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 14th scored John Kennedy with the winning run and finally ended a tense contest that stretched more than four hours.

Washington jumped to an early 3–0 lead on solo home runs by shortstop Ed Brinkman in the first and third innings and another round-tripper by Jim King in the second. But the Angels battled back in the fourth when veteran Joe Adcock crashed a three-run homer off Claude Osteen to tie the score. From there the clubs traded missed opportunities deep into extra innings as relief pitching dominated the afternoon. Kennedy finally opened the 14th with a triple off Barry Latman, and Hunt followed with a deep fly to right field that easily brought home the winning run. Brinkman, with two homers and a sacrifice bunt, was the standout performer for the victorious Senators in the opening game of Earl’s 1964 American League replay campaign.

Ed Brinkman