Pascual of Twins Hurls Two-Hitter, Hits Grand Slam

Apr. 27, 1965 - Camilo Pascual of the Twins pitched a two-hitter and made like slugger Harmon Killebrew with a grand slam in the first inning tonight en route to an 11-1 rout of the Indians at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

Pascual’s second victory was incidental to his hitting, as the Twins maintained their American League lead with a 7-2 record.

The Cuban hurler also drew a walk and singled in the fifth to account for five RBI’s. Pascual is averaging .375 for the year with three hits in eight trips.

“I’m going for the triple crown this year,” Pascual joked after the game. “Home runs, hitting, and runs batted in. That’s the first time I’ve ever batted in five runs in one game that I can remember. That was my second grand slam.”

Pascual and Detroit Tiger Dizzy Trout, who retired in 1952, are the only pitchers to have hit a pair of slams.With all those runs, Pascual’s pitching was a simple assignment.

Cleveland’s first hit was Dick Howser’s leadoff double to left center in the first inning. He scored the Indians’ lone run on an infield out and Max Alvis’ sacrifice fly to left.

Pascual pitched six no-hit innings from the second through the seventh, retiring 21 in order until Camilo Carreon grounded a single into left for the Indians’ second hit with two out in the eighth.

Camilo struck out five and walked two to gain some consolation for a 7-19 lifetime record against the Tribe.

Before the game, Cleveland manager Birdie Tebbetts mentioned the fact that he had “eight pitchers ready to work relief.” He turned out to be a prophet.

Killebrew’s 12th hit of the season was his first extra-base hit, a double to left in the sixth.

“Why worry about home runs?” said Killebrew afterward. “I can’t do anything about it. They’ll come. Meantime, I’ll take the singles.”

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