Amazin' Date 6/17/1969: Mets Split Twin Bill at Philadelphia

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #57: Tuesday, June 17, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

Connie Mack Stadium/GAME ONE

Coming around the home stretch of a grueling 12-game road trip, the Mets arrive back on the east coast at Philadelphia for a series opening double-header against the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.

Making his 13th start of the season, Gary Gentry bests Philadelphia's Bill Champion.  In what goes down as one of the finest performances by a Mets pitcher this season, Gentry tosses a complete game shutout, facing just three over the minimum while allowing but two hits and one walk with nine strikeouts.  He retired his final eight batters faced while improving to 6-5 for the season with a 3.41 ERA.

For his part Phillies starter Bill Champion lasts eight innings, allowing the game's only run in the seventh on a two out base hit from catcher J.C. Martin scoring Ken Boswell.  He otherwise yields four hits and four walks with five strikeouts in a losing effort.

The Mets had five hits all game with Boswell accounting for two of them in three at-bats.

Game #58: Tuesday, June 17, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

Connie Mack Stadium/GAME TWO

The Phillies come out swinging in game two, scoring early and often against Mets starter Don Cardwell.  Dick Allen opens with a two out home run in the first.  Four hits and an untimely error by second baseman Al Weis later and Philadelphia is staked to a 4-0 lead.  Cardwell surrenders his second home run of the game in the third, this time off the bat of center fielder Larry Hisle giving the Phillies a 6-0 lead.  Later in the eighth Hisle hit his second home run of the game.

The Mets scrap together three runs against Phillies starter Grant Jackson, but it wasn't enough.  Jackson yields six hits and three walks with nine strikeouts en route to a complete game victory.

In his first start as a member of the Mets, Donn Clendenon goes 1 for 4 with a run scored.

• Mets Record:  31-27 (.534)
• N.L. East:  2nd; 7.5 GB