Amazin' Date 7/20/1969: Bobby Pheil Bunt Saves the Day

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Sunday, July 20, 1969
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

GAME ONE #91

The Mets strike first with a pair of runs in the second, but in the fourth the Expos strike back with three.  And therein lies your final score in game one of Sunday's twin bill at Parc Jarry.  Both starting pitchers go the distance.  J.C. Martin draws a one-out walk against Montreal's Gary Waslewski, whom then yields a double to Al Weis.  With two outs Tommie Agee's hit to left delivers home both runners for a 2-0 lead that would last through the third.  Meanwhile Waslewski would surrender no more.  Montreal puts him on the winning side of the ledger in the fourth as left fielder Mack Jones, first baseman Bob Bailey, and shortstop Bobby Wine all connect for solo home runs off Mets starter Gary Gentry.  Otherwise Gentry yields just two other hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a losing eight inning effort.  His record now stands at 9-8 with a 3.36 ERA.  Gary Waslewski allows two runs on five hits and eight walks with six strikeouts over nine full innings for only his second victory of the season.  The Mets go 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

GAME TWO #92

With one out in the top of the ninth and the game knotted at two, Jerry Grote is pinch hit for by Cleon Jones whom draws a bases loaded walk to put the Mets ahead.  But Coco Laboy's home run off Ron Taylor in the bottom half of the frame sends the game into extra innings.  With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, Ron Swoboda doubles to left field off Expos relief ace Roy Face and advances all the way to third on an error by center fielder Adolfo Phillips.  Pinch hitting for pitcher Ron Taylor, Bobby Pheil then lays a bunt down the third base line scoring Swoboda with the go-ahead run.  Jack DiLauro earns the victory with a scoreless frame in relief of Taylor.  Starter Don Cardwell pitches very well, again, but walks off to another no-decision after yielding two runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts through 7.1 innings.  Swoboda is 3 for 4 with a walk, double, RBI, and two runs scored.  Cleon Jones and Wayne Garrett also drive in a run apiece en route to New York's 4-3 victory.  With a split of Sunday's double-header the Mets likewise salvage a four-game split at Montreal.

• Mets Record: 53-39
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB