The 1963 Dodgers this week finished off their longest homestand of the season by winning four of five against the Colt .45s and Cubs at Dodger Stadium, before dropping two of three in San Francisco.
Two weekend losses dropped the Dodgers’ lead in the National League over St. Louis to 3½ games, the closest LA has been to another team in the standings in 25 days.
Batter of the week
Heading into this week, Jim Gilliam was productive at the plate but only had four home runs. Then he hit homers on consecutive days, the first of which on Thursday against the Cubs was an inside-the-park job. Then Gilliam hit one over the left field fence in San Francisco in a win over the Giants.
Gilliam had 10 hits in 29 at-bats and also walked seven times this week, and scored 11 runs in eight games. On the season, the 34-year-old infielder is hitting .287/.361/.400, and ranks ninth in the National League in on-base percentage.
“Gilliam has been our most consistent player all year,” manager Walt Alston told Stan Baillie of United Press International.
Pitcher of the week
Pete Richert has been up and down between Spokane and Los Angeles this season, but on Thursday pitched his best game of the year, pitching scoreless baseball into the eighth inning in a win over the Reds. Richert struck out seven in 7⅓ scoreless innings, working around five hits and three walks. Larry Sherry got the final five outs to close out the 4-0 win, the Dodgers’ 21st shutout of the season.
Week 22 results
5-3 record
35 runs scored (4.38 per game)
21 runs allowed (2.63 per game)
.718 pythagorean win percentage
Year to date
86-57-1 record
575 runs scored (3.99 per game)
492 runs allowed (3.42 per game)
.571 pythagorean win percentage (82-61)
National League standings: 1st place, up 3½ games on St. Louis
Magic number to clinch pennant: 16
Welcome aboard
Roy Gleason, an outfielder who went to Garden Grove High School in Orange County, made his major league debut Tuesday against Houston. Down a run in the 10th inning, the 20-year-old Gleason pinch-ran for Bill Skowron with one out, then advanced to third on a single by Jim Gilliam. Wally Moon’s sacrifice fly brought home Gleason with the tying run, then Tommy Davis singled home Gilliam for the walk-off winner. Gleason played in three games in his first week in the majors, pinch-running in each appearance. He also scored in the eighth inning on Thursday against the Cubs.
Game results
- Monday, September 2: Game 1 — Dodgers 7, Astros 3
- Monday, September 2: Game 2 — Dodgers 7, Astros 1
- Tuesday, September 3: Dodgers 4, Astros 3 (10 innings)
- Wednesday, September 4: Cubs 2, Dodgers 1 (11 innings)
- Thursday, September 5: Dodgers 4, Cubs 0
- Friday, September 6: Dodgers 5, Giants 2
- Saturday, September 7: Giants 5, Dodgers 3
- Sunday, September 8: Giants 5, Dodgers 4
Previous 1963 reviews: Snider to Mets | Nate Oliver | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | All-Star Game | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Ed Roebuck | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21
The week ahead
The Dodgers run the Bob Kuzava gauntlet through the Quaker State, with three games in Pittsburgh followed by four weekend games in Philadelphia.