Amazin' Date 7/15/1969: Mets Tame Cubs For 50th Victory of the Season

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #87: Tuesday, July 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field

New York Mets Achieve 50th Victory in Record Time

Gary Gentry and the Mets knot up their series with the Cubs at one apiece.  After trading runs in the third, the Mets score three times in the fourth and one more time in the fifth.  Chicago rallies for one run in the sixth and two late runs in the eighth, but would score no more.

Gentry yields four runs, three earned, on eight hits and just one walk with four strikeouts through 7.2 innings for his ninth victory of the season against seven losses.  With two outs in the top of the eighth, the Mets rookie starter surrenders back to back home runs to Billy Williams and Ron Santo.  Manager Gil Hodges then calls upon Ron Taylor who pitches the final 1.1 innings with two strikeouts for his eighth save of the season.

Tommy Agee opens the scoring with a triple scoring Weis from second base in the third.  The Mets end up hamming Cubs starter Dick Selma for five earned runs on eight hits and a walk through 4.1 innings pitched.  Al Weis connects on his first home run of the season - a three run shot in the fourth - and Ken Boswell hits his third of the season an inning later.

For those who recall, the 1962 Mets failed to win 50 games all season.  In 1965 they gain their 50th victory with just five games remaining on the schedule.  Three season ago is the first time the Mets win their 50th prior to the month of September.  Last season - their first under manager Gil Hodges - the Mets rally for their 50th victory on Aug. 2, with a 3-2 win over the Dodgers at Los Angeles in their 109th game of the season.  Today's victory over the Cubs at Wrigley marks the Mets 50th victory in just their 87th game.

Oh, and they're within five games of first place, again.

Something special is brewing.

• Mets Record: 50-37 (.574)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB