Amazin' Date 8/22/1969: Koosman Gets Mets Back On Track Against Dodgers

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #121: Friday, August 22, 1969 - BR
Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Mets score early against the Los Angeles Dodgers starter Bill Singer during Friday's opening victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Shea Stadium.

Ron Swoboda's two run home run in the second opens all scoring.  An inning later Art Shamsky drives in a run, and a passed ball charged to catcher Jeff Torborg allows a fourth Mets run to cross the plate.  After which it becomes a matter of Jerry Koosman and the Mets holding on.  Torborg atones for his mistake behind the plate with an RBI hit in the fourth.  When Jerry Koosman yields two singles in the seventh, manager Hodgers summons Tug McGraw from the bullpen whom surrenders consecutive RBI hits to Willie Davis and Wes Parker making it 4-3 game.  Cleon Jones' RBI hit in the eighth gives the Mets a two run cushion.  McGraw then retires the Dodgers in order in the ninth for his ninth save.  Jerry Koosman allows three earned runs on ten hits and no walks with five strikeouts in earning his eleventh victory of the season.

The announced crowd of 50,460 is the Mets sixth largest of the season.  They've won six of their last seven, and gain another game on the Cubs who lose to the Houston Astros at Wrigley.

• Mets Record: 69-52
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6 GB