Amazin' Date 5/13/1969: Gary Gentry Hammered By Braves

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #31: Tuesday, May 13, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Hank Aaron Introduces Himself to Gary Gentry; Mets Rally Falls Short

Atlanta came out slugging in Tuesday's series opener against Gary Gentry and the New York Mets.  With two outs in the first, Hammerin Hank Aaron connected off the Mets starter straight away for his fifth home run of the season.

Leading off the top of the fourth, Orlando Cepeda deposited a Gentry offering over the wall for his eighth home run of the season.  With one out, Gentry walked third baseman Clete Boyer, then surrendered his third home run of the game courtesy catcher Bob Tillmam.

Gary Gentry helped his own cause with a lead-off single off Braves starter Ron Reed in the sixth.  Into the box stepped Tommie Agee, who then connected on is fourth home run in his last three games, cutting the Mets deficit by half.

The Mets rallied again in the ninth.  Ken Boswell drew a lead-off walk against Cecil Upshaw pitching in relief of Reed.  With two outs, J.C. Martin singled.  Art Shamsky, pinch hitting for Amos Otis, followed with an RBI single up the middle.  With the tying run at third Bud Harrelson grounded out third to first ending the game.

Gary Gentry takes the loss, lowering his record to 2-3 on the season.  The Mets rookie allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts through eight innings work.  Atlanta's Ron Reed improved to 4-1 after limiting the Mets to a pair of earned runs on just four hits with four strikeouts.

Hank Aaron's home run was the 515th of his career.

• Mets Record:  14-17
• N.L. East:  3rd; 7 GB