Amazin' Dates 4/14/1969: Slugger Dick Allen Powers Phillies to Victory Over Mets

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Seven: Monday, April 14, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

Mets Open Road Trip With Loss to Phillies; Extend Skid to Four.

It wasn't long after the Mets arrival in Philadelphia when they slammed into their first pothole, Phillies starter Woodie Fryman, whom would stymie the Mets through nine complete innings at Connie Mack Stadium - or Shibe Park to another generation.  But whatever the venue, a loss by any other name is still a loss.  And as a result of Monday's series opening defeat, the New York Metropolitans have now bowed to their opponents in four straight games.

For a fleeting moment the first inning left many with the impression Fryman was surely destined for an early shower.  With one gone in the top of the first, Rod Gaspar singled to left, and with two outs Ed Carles drew a walk.  Ron Swoboda then lined a base hit up the middle, scoring Gaspar.  But Fryman escaped further damage, and for all intent and purpose his troubles ended there.  He limited the Mets the rest of the way to just a pair of scattered hits; a double by his counterpart Jim McAndrew in the fifth; and an inconsequential base hit by Amos Otis in the seventh.  In all, Woodie Fryman surrendered the one earned run on just four hits and three walks, with six strikeouts en route to the complete game victory.

Perennial slugger Dick Allen went 2 for 2, with a home run and two RBI; shortstop Don Money was 1 for 3, with another pair of runs batted in.

Mets loser Jim McAndrew lasted just 5.1 innings, allowing five earned runs on four hits (two home runs) and four walks, with six strikeouts.  Ron Taylor and Nolan Ryan joined on 2.2 innings of scoreless, no hit relief.

Monday marked both the Mets first road, and night game of the new season.

• Mets Record: 2-5
• N.L. East: 5th; 4 GB