May 4, 1963 - The New York Yankees once again served notice on one and all today that left-handers no longer hold any terrors for them. With Mickey Mantle back in the lineup despite the fact that the Minnesota Twins were firing their second successive southpaw against them in Jim Kaat, Ralph Houk’s Bombers hit three bases-empty homers. Mantle (pictured) hit one of these. Elston Howard blasted the other two, and that sufficed to give the Yanks a 3-2 victory over Sam Mele’s Twins before a Minnesota crowd of 31,667. This made it two in a row for the world champions. Last night, behind Bill Stafford and Jim Bouton, they had brought down Dick Stigman, 4-3, on a 10th-inning homer by Clete Boyer. Stan Williams, who has been less than wonderful in four previous starts because of first-inning troubles, reversed his habits this afternoon. Instead of a rocky beginning, he had a floppy finish. After allowing two hits through two out in the ninth, the former Dodger was knocked out. He walked Bob Allison and gave up a single to Jimmie Hall. Earl Battey, the 230-pound catcher, then lined a double to left center, and the crowd of 31,667 stomped its feet, rooting for the tying hit. Manager Ralph Houk didn’t hesitate. He called in Hal Reniff, the chunky right-hander whom the Yankees call the “Little Whale.” Reniff threw two pitches to Bernie Allen, the second one going on a series of friendly bounces to second base. Bobby Richardson handled it with ease and tossed over to Harry Bright at first for the final out.
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