Amazin' Dates 4/19/1969: Tom Seaver Out-Duels Bob Gibson in Rematch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #11 - Saturday, April 19, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

Cleon Jones and Ed Kranepool Come Through in the Clutch; Mets Take Opener at Busch Stadium.

With the sour taste of getting swept by the Cardinals earlier this month at Shea Stadium still fresh in their mouths, the Mets arrived in St. Louis seeking perhaps a measure of self-validation, much less revenge.

For the second time within a week Tom Seaver opposed Bob Gibson in game one at Busch Stadium on Saturday.  In the top of the third, Gibson did himself no favors issuing a lead-off walk to his counterpart Tom Seaver.  Buddy Harrelson successfully bunted Seaver to third.  Gibson then issued a second base on balls to Ken Boswell.  With a runner in scoring position, Amos Otis fanned for out number two.  Cleon Jones and Ed Kranepool would then deliver in the clutch with consecutive RBI hits giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

This time, Tom Seaver made it stand.  St. Louis threatened in the eighth, putting together three hits and cutting their deficit to one.  But that's as close as the Cardinals would get.  Tom Seaver retired the side in order in the ninth to close out his first victory of the season.  He allowed just one earned run on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

FINAL

Mets          2

Cardinals  1

After defeating Seaver six days ago, the Mets turn the tables in handing Gibson his first defeat of the season.  The Cardinal great allowed two earned runs on seven hits and a few very costly base on balls, with eight strikeouts through a full nine innings pitched.

Cleon Jones and Ed Kranepool share the team lead with seven RBI apiece.

Sunday afternoon's game concludes this six game trip.  With a victory, they can achieve a 3-3 split.

• Mets Record:  5-7
• N.L. East:  4th; 6 GB