Amazin' Date 9/14/1969: Pirates Salvage Series Finale at Forbes Field

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #148: Sunday, September 14, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

METS WIN STREAK ENDS AT TEN

Pittsburgh wins the series finale to avoid being swept at Forbes Field, and thereby halt New York's winning streak at ten.  But with the Cubs losing in extra innings at St. Louis, the Mets maintain their 3.5 game lead over second place Chicago.

The Pirates open a 3-0 lead in the third on Al Oliver's two run triple, and Manny Sanguillen's base hit.  New York ties the game with runs batted in from Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky in the fifth, and Nolan Ryan's run scoring hit in the sixth.  However, Ryan can not keep the Pirates at bay.  With two outs and two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh, Pirates starter Steve Blass and Al Oliver each drive in a run apiece for a 5-3 lead and final margin of victory.  Steve Blass limits the Mets to three earned runs on eleven hits and four walks with four strikeouts in a complete game winning effort.  Nolan Ryan is charged with five earned runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  Bud Harrelson is 3 for 5; Jerry Grote is 2 for 4; together they account for nearly half of the Mets eleven hits.

The game marks only the Mets fourth loss in September.  Meanwhile the Cubs today lose their tenth game in their last eleven contests.  New York now moves on to St. Louis for one game against the Cardinals before closing out the road trip with two games at Montreal.  Just 16 more games remain in the regular season.

• Mets Record: 88-58
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 3.5 Games Up