Amazin' Date 4/23/1969: Jerry Koosman Whitewashes Pittsburgh Pirates

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #14: Wednesday, April 23, 1969 - BR
Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Cleon Jones Raises Average to .444 With Three More Hits in Victory Over Pirates.

The Mets benefited from a day off after suffering through Monday's heart-break extra-inning loss against the Phillies.  On Wednesday, the Mets hosted another single game match, this time against the second place Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cleon Jones continued his torrid hitting, smacking three hits off Pittsburgh's Jim Bunning, including a double and an RBI in the first inning staking Jerry Koosman to an instant 1-0 lead.  Ed Kranepool then delivered home the Mets second run of the game in the fourth with a base hit to plate Cleon Jones from second base.

Jerry Koosman took care of the rest.  In his third start of the season, Jerry finally looked like his old self, allowing just five scattered hits and three walks, with six strikeouts over nine scoreless innings en route to his first victory of the season.

FINAL

Pirates  0

Mets     2

Pirates center fielder Matty Alou was 2 for 4 against Koosman with a lead-off double in the eighth, but was left stranded when Koosman caught third baseman Jose Pagan looking at strike three for out number three.  Roberto Clemente was 0 for 3, with a walk.  Willie Stargell did not start, but as a pinch hitter with two outs in the ninth, his fly to right ended the game.

Loser Jim Bunning allowed the two Mets runs on six hits and a walk, while fanning four through six innings.

In addition to Cleon Jones, the Mets got extra base hits from Bud Harrelson and Ken Boswell.  Ed Kranepool leads the team with ten RBI.

After another off day on Thursday, the Mets host an early season showdown against the N.L. East division leading Chicago Cubs.

• Mets Record:  6-8
• N.L. East:  3rd; 4 GB