Amazin' Date 4/30/1969: Mets Take Second Straight at Jarry Park

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Game #20: Wednesday, April 30, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

Tom Seaver Out-Duels Expos Mike Wegener; Mets Win Second Straight at Montreal.

In game two of the Mets first ever series played north of the border, Tom Seaver dueled Montreal's Mike Wegener for nine innings at Parc Jarry on Wednesday.

Leading off the second, Cleon Jones legged out a triple then scored on Ed Kranepool's sacrifice fly to left.  The Mets held that lead until the seventh when with two outs Expos catcher John Bateman connected off Seaver for his third home run of the season.

Limited to just three hits through the first eight innings of play, the Mets rallied in the ninth.  Leading off against Mike Wegener, Rod Gaspar singled to left.  With Ken Boswell up, Manager Hodges put Gaspar in motion.  After a successful steal of second base, Boswell singled to right scoring Gaspar, but was cut down himself trying to stretch out a single.

In the bottom of the ninth Tom Seaver retired the Expos in order, striking out first baseman Donn Clendenon and third baseman Coco Laboy to end the game.  Despite unleashing three wild pitches, Tom was terrific in earning the complete game victory, allowing just the one run on five hits and three walks, with six strikeouts.  He evened his record at 2-2 and lowered his ERA to a 2.35 mark.

Hard luck loser Mike Wegener was equally effective, allowing just two runs on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts through nine complete innings of work.

The Mets are winners of three in a row for the first time this season.  They finish the month of April with a 9-11 record.  Manager Hodges says he wants improvement from his club in games decided by one run.  So far they've won two and lost four in such games.

Ed Kranepool now leads the team with 15 RBI.  Cleon Jones is second with 14 RBI through the Mets first twenty games of the season.

Tommie Agee appeared as a ninth inning defensive replacement for Ron Swoboda.  Wednesday marked Agee's tenth straight game absent from the starting lineup.  He is expected to resume full time duty during the Mets upcoming series at Chicago.

• Mets Record:  9-11 (.450)
• N.L. East:  3rd; 5.5 GB