Amazin' Date 4/17/1969: Mets Drop Second Straight at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Ten: Thursday, April 17, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Don Cardwell Suffers Hard Luck Loss; Pirates Sweep Mets at Forbes.

At 36-years of age, the old veteran showed em how it's done.  Stalwart hurler Jim Bunning took one step closer to achieving his 200th victory by holding the Mets scoreless on just three hits and two walks, with nine strikeouts through six innings pitched.  His first victory of the season is the 196th of his stellar career.  Ron Kline, pitching in relief of Bunning finished out the game with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball to earn his first save of the season.  With Thursday's joint effort 4-0 whitewashing of the Mets, the Pirates sweep both games of this abbreviated set by a 15-3 aggregate score.

Mets starter Don Cardwell matched Bunning pitch for pitch through seven innings of work.  But committed one very costly mistake. After issuing a walk to third baseman Richie Hebner leading off the fifth and with Roberto Clemente at the plate, Cardwell unleashed his first wild pitch of the inning.  Roberto Clemente's ground out then advanced Hebner to third.  With Willie Stargell at the plate Cardwell unleashed his second wild pitch allowing Hebner to score.

Insurance came in the eighth.  Al Oliver's three run home run off Cal Koonce lifted the Pirates to a final 4-0 margin of victory.

Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen threw out two would be base-stealers.

Rod Gaspar, Cleon Jones, and J.C. Martin were the lone Mets to hit safely.

Mets have now lost six of their last seven.  Next stop is St. Louis for another two game rematch against the Cardinals whom swept three games from the Mets last week at Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record:  3-7
• N.L. East:  5th; 6 GB