Amazin' Date 4/16/1969: Mets Flounder About at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Nine: Wednesday, April 16, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Pirates Lay Siege With 11-3 Rout of Mets Pitching

Suffice it to say Jerry Koosman's season is off to a rather unpleasant beginning.  Making his second appearance, the Pittsburgh Pirates knocked him out of the box after just 2.1 innings pitched, but not before allowing five earned runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts.  Over his first two starts Koosman has now surrendered nine earned runs on 17 hits and three walks with six strikeouts in only 9.1 innings pitched.

The Pirates went on to treat the Mets bullpen similarly.  Nolan Ryan faced nine batters whom tagged him for four earned runs on four hits and two walks.  Although Al Jackson was able to settle things down with 2.2 innings of perfect ball, the Pirates would strike again with two earned runs on three hits off Ron Taylor.

FINAL

Mets       3

Pirates  11

In all, the Pirates romped to an 11-3 victory over the visiting Mets.  Lead-off hitter Matty Alou set the table for his mates, going 2 for 3, with two walks and three runs scored.  Roberto Clemente was 3 for 5 with a double, two RBI, and three runs scored.  And third baseman Jose Pagan went 4 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored.  Starting pitcher Bob Moose went the distance, allowing the Mets three earned runs on eight hits and two walks, with eleven strikeouts en route to his second victory of the season.

Ed Kranepool was 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI for the Mets.

• Mets Record:  3-6
• N.L. East:  5th; 5 GB