Amazin' Date 9/5/1969: Mets Trounce Phillies; First Place Cubs Arrive Monday

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #137: Sunday, September 7, 1969 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Pittsburgh Pirates complete a sweep of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley.  Coupled with Sunday's commanding victory over the Phillies, the Mets clinch a 3-1 series win over Philadelphia and close to within 2.5 games of first place Chicago who arrive at Shea Stadium on Monday.

Trailing the Phillies 2-3 after five, Ken Boswell scores the tying run on Bud Harrelson's sixth inning grounder to short.  Art Shamsky then drives in the go ahead run and Ken Boswell triples home Shamsky giving the Mets a 5-3 lead after seven.  In the eighth Tommie Agee and Rod Gaspar each drive in two runs apiece en route to a 9-3 final score.  The Mets inflict near all their damage against starter Bill Champion, who yields eight earned runs on nine hits and six walks with eight strikeouts.  Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky each hit first inning home runs.  Making his 29th start of the season, Gary Gentry allows three earned runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts through six innings pitched, but does not figure in the decision.  Nolan Ryan tosses three scoreless innings of two-hit ball in relief of Gentry to earn is fifth victory of the season.

It's the Mets 80th victory of the season, and their 12th victory in their last 17 games.  The Chicago Cubs are 7-9 over the same stretch and presently in the midst of a four game losing streak.  Since Aug. 22, the Mets have gained 3.5 games in the standings.  Jerry Koosman is scheduled to pitch game one against the Cubs on Monday.

• Mets Record: 80-57
• N.L. East: 2nd; 2.5 GB