Amazin' Date 4/9/1969: Ken Boswell Powers Mets to First Victory

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Two:  Wednesday, April 9, 1969 - BR
Montreal Expos @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Ken Boswell's Home Run in 4th Propelss Mets to First Victory of the Season.

After Tuesday's last ditch rally fell one run short, the Mets waste no time knocking Expos starter Bill Stoneman out of the box, whom straight away appeared out of sorts.  After retiring his first batter of the game, Stoneman would surrender four runs on two hits, two walks, and a hit batsman before being dispatched to the showers.  The Mets continue tacking on single runs in the third and fourth, and sixth through eighth innings, en route to a 9-4 series tying victory over the Montreal Expos.

The team achieved double-digit hits for a second straight game.  Cleon Jones, Ed Kranepool, and Jerry Grote all drove in two runs apiece.  Rod Gaspar and Ken Boswell again combined to go 4 for 5 at the plate, with three walks, a Boswell home run, and three runs scored.

Rusty Staub doubled, and hit his second homer in as many days for the Expos.

After an uneventful first inning, Mets starter Jim McAndrew received a quick hook in the second  by manager Gill Hodges upon surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks before ever recording an out.  Tug McGraw was called in for long relief and was credited with his first victory of the season.  He limited Montreal to one earned run on five hits and two walks, with seven strikeouts through 6.1 innings of work.  Nolan Ryan picked up his first save the hard way, walking a pair and serving up Staub's home run over the final 1.2 innings of the game.