Amazin' Date 5/16/1969: Mets Seventh Inning Outburst Overwhelms Reds

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #34: Friday, May 16, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Cincinnati Reds

Crosley Field

Tommie Agee caps comeback; Koonce holds on for victory

It's the Reds turn to host the Mets.

Starting in place of Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw climbed the hill in game one at Crosley Field on Friday.  The Mets jumped Reds starter Jack Fisher straightaway for six hits and two runs, knocking him out of the box after just 1.1 innings of work.  However, McGraw would surrender an RBI single to left fielder Alex Johnson in the third, then yield Lee May's eighth home run of the season in the fourth.

FINAL

Mets  10

Reds    9

After trading runs in the fifth, Ed Kranepool led off the top of the sixth with a double, then scored the go ahead run on Tug McGraw's bouncer to second (fielder's choice).  But the Mets lead was fleeting.  Leading off the bottom half of the frame Tommy Helms and Johnny Bench stroked consecutive singles off McGraw.  Manager Hodges relieved McGraw with Ron Taylor.  Pinch hitter Jimmy Stewart promptly introduced himself with a three run home run for a 6-4 Reds lead.

Wayne Garrett led off the seventh with a hit, then advanced to second on a passed ball.  With two outs, the Mets proceeded to bat around the order, mustering six runs on another seven hits for an abrupt 10-6 turnaround.  Undaunted, Cincinnati rallied for three runs off Cal Koonce in the bottom half of the frame, which included a Johnny Bench home run.

Koonce regrouped to retire seven of his next nine batters to close out the Reds and earn his second victory of the season.

Tommie Agee's onslaught continues - he went 2 for 5 with a triple and two decisive runs batted in.  Rod Gaspar also had two RBI.  Ed Kranepool went 3 for 5 with one RBI just as Bud Harrelson was 3 for 5 also with an RBI.

• Mets Record: 16-18 (.470)
• N.L. East: 3rd; 7.5 GB