Amazin' Date 9/15/1969: Ron Swoboda Two Home Runs Power Mets Over Cardinals

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #147: Monday, September 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

METS EXTEND LEAD OVER CUBS: JUST 15 GAMES REMAIN IN SEASON

In St. Louis for one game only, Gary Gentry and Tug Mcgraw join to outlast Cardinals left-hander Steve Carlton.

Vida Pinson drives in the first run of the game in the third.  But Ron Swoboda answers with a two run home run in the fourth.  However runs batted in from Curt Flood and Joe Torre give the Cardinals a 3-2 edge after five.  Gentry's duel with Carlton ends after six.  He exits on the losing side after surrendering three earned runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts.  Tug McGraw enters the game in relief of Gentry.  With Donn Clendenon on base in the top of the eighth Ron Swoboda connects on his second home run of the game off Steve Carlton giving the Mets a 4-3 final margin of victory.  Tug McGraw allows one hit over three scoreless innings with three strikeouts to pick up his eighth victory of the season against three losses with a 2.36 ERA.

The Expos roll over the Cubs at Jarry Park, and so the Mets gain another game in the standings.  Chicago has now lost 11 of their last 12 games.

• Mets Record: 89-58
• N.L. East: 1st Place; 4.5 Games Up