Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 69

Black was stellar once more, allowing just a solo shot by Johnny Mize in seven innings, but received no support, as Reynolds clamped down on the Dodgers by allowing four hits and striking out 10 in a 2-0 win.

With his pitching staff tired, Stengel gave the start to late season acquisition Ewell Blackwell, who surrendered four runs in five innings. Brooklyn starter Carl Erskine provided perhaps the Series’ most eye opening performance in Game Five. Trampled on for five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Mize’s third Series home run, Mize’s three World Series homers coming after

hitting just four for the entire regular season, Erskine regrouped and had enough gas left to retire the next 19 Yankees, as the Dodgers fought back and won 6-5 in 11 innings. Brooklyn was salivating over the prospects of its first ever world title. The Dodgers were leading the Series three games to two, with

Games Six and Seven set for home turf at Ebbets Field.

Needing to win two in a row at Ebbets Field, Stengel pitched Raschi in Game 6, who won it with a save from Allie Reynolds. Mickey Mantle, who had watched most of the 1951 World Series from his hospital bed, was now ready to be front and center with his clutch game. His eighth inning solo shot in Game

Six, extending the Yankees’ lead to 3-1, was tabbed as insurance,