Amazin' Date 4/15/1969: Ed Kranepool Comes Through in the Pinch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Eight: Tuesday, April 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

Mets Salvage Split at Philadelphia: Snap Skid at Four.

Batting against New York's Gary Gentry, Philadelphia third baseman Deron Johnson staked his pitcher to an early 1-0 lead with an RBI hit in the first.  In turn, starter Chris Short limited the Mets to just one hit through his first four innings of work.  But New York would finally catch up to him in the fifth.  Buddy Harrelsson drove in a pair and Tommie Agee drove in another putting the Mets ahead by two.

Leading off the sixth, Don Money's home run brought the Phils to within one.  Gentry yielded three more hits in the seventh; right fielder Johnny Callison's base hit to left scored Dick Allen from third base tying the game at three.

Pitching in relief of Chris Sort, Gary Wagner surrendered consecutive hits opening the eighth inning to Ken Boswell and Cleon Jones.  The Mets then loaded the bases when Wagner mishandled a sacrifice attempt by Amos Otis.  Wagner twice escaped harm by inducing Ron Swoboda and Jerry Grote into ground ball force-outs at home.  But Buddy Harrelson finally made Wagner pay for his fielding error with a hit through the infield scoring Otis.  Pinch hitting for Gentry, Ed Kranepool doubled to left scoring Swoboda and Grote.  All three runs were unearned.

FINAL

Mets      6

Phillies  3

Cal Koonce earned a save for two innings of perfect relief.  Gary Gentry allowed three earned runs on eight hits and three walks, with four strikeouts in winning his second decision of the season.

The Mets gain a split of their abbreviated two game series against the Phillies, but moreover snap their losing streak at four.

Onward to Pittsburgh for another short two game set against the Pirates.

• Mets Record: 3-5
• N.L. East: 4th; 4 GB