Amazin' Date 8/4/1969: Mets Whitewashed at Crosley Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #103: Monday, August 4, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Cincinnati Reds
Crosley Field

On July 25, Jerry Koosman and Cincinnati's Jim Maloney duel for seven scoreless innings in a game Ron Taylor and the Mets ultimately win at Shea Stadium.  In Monday's rematch at Crosley Field, the Reds manufacture a one run lead in the third courtesy of an Alex Johnson sac-fly to right scoring Pete Rose from third. Jim Maloney takes care of the rest, almost.  He comes one out short of a complete game whitewashing of the Mets.  With two outs in the top of the ninth he walks Cleon Jones.  Manager Dave Bristol wastes no time in bringing in reliever Wayne Granger whom retires Wayne Garrett on a grounder to second base.  Maloney improves to 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA.  Granger earns his 15th save of the season.  Hard luck loser Jerry Koosman yields just one run on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  He falls to 8-7 on the season but still boasts a 2.04 ERA.  Tommie Agee and Wayne Garrett account for the Mets only two hits.  They fall to 5-7 over their last twelve games.  While Monday's road trip opening loss drops them 7.5 games behind the first place Cubs, their largest deficit since Independence Day.

• Mets Record: 58-45
• N.L. East: 2nd; 7.5 GB