This Day in Dodger History, May 12, 1956

Carl Erskine becomes only the eighth player in Dodger franchise history to hurl a no-hitter and only the ninth National Leaguer since 1900 to record two as he blanks the New York Giants, 3-0, before an enthusiastic crowd of 24,588 at Ebbets Field.

The 29-year-old right-hander gives up just two walks and does not allow a runner to reach second base. His no-hitter is kept alive by stellar catches by infielder Jackie Robinson and outfielder Carl Furillo.

Robinson, playing third base, snares a liner hit down the line by Willie Mays in the fourth inning, and Furillo runs down a deep drive to right-center field hit by Daryl Spencer, also in the fourth frame.

Erskine thus follows up a feat he first turned on June 19, 1952 when he no-hit the Chicago Cubs, 5-0.

It would be just four months before a Brooklyn Dodger hurler would turn in another no-hitter, this one by Sal Maglie on September 25 in a 5-0 victory over Philadelphia at Ebbets Field.

Since Erskine’s second no-hitter, 11 Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers have tossed no-hitters, including Sandy Koufax’s perfect game on Sept. 9, 1956.

Erskine played for Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 12 years from 1948-59 and compiled a 122-78 lifetime record. Erskine and Koufax are the only players in franchise history to toss two or more no-hitters.

May 12, 1980: ?Rudy Law steals four bases in route to his Dodger rookie record of 40.

May 12, 2004-- In one of the most remarkable at-bats in big league history, Alex Cora fouls off 14 consecutive pitches and then hits the 18th thrown to him by the Cubs’ Matt Clement over the right-field fence for a two- run home run which extends Los Angeles lead to 4-0. The Dodger Stadium crowd cheered each foul ball as the total started to be displayed on the scoreboard.