Amazin' Date 9/1/1969: Mets Lose Opening Game at Los Angeles

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #131: Monday, September 1, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium

New York kicks off September play with a loss in Monday's series opener at Dodger Stadium.  Despite propping up Jerry Koosman with two first inning runs, the sunny California sky comes crashing down upon the Mets as the Dodgers mount a 9-2 lead through four.  The Mets chip away with two runs in the sixth, and two more in the seventh.  In fact they knock Bunning out of the box after yielding six runs, five earned, on nine hits, and one walk.  However the Dodgers score one more time in the home seventh giving them an even ten runs for the game.  Koosman surrenders four earned runs on three hits and a walk before ever recording a second out.  Manager Hodges summons Cal Koonce from the bullpen, whom proceeds to yield another five earned runs on ten hits and one walk through the next 5.2 innings.  Not to feel left out, Jack DiLauro surrenders Dodgers run number ten.  Tommie Agee is 4 for 4 with his 23rd home run of the season.  Duffy Dyer is 1 for 4 with his third home run and two runs batted in.

• Mets Record: 76-55
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/24/1969: Mets Complete Sweep Over Dodgers at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #123: Sunday, August 24, 1969 - BR
Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

What, you ask, could possibly top Jerry Grote's two out game-winning double in the ninth inning yesterday afternoon at Shea?  The amazin' Mets answer that question by completing a three game sweep of the reviled Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Making his 26th start of the season Gary Gentry opposes Dodgers hurler Don Sutton.  First baseman Wes Parker homers in the third, and center fielder Willie Davis puts the finishing touches on Gentry's afternoon with a two out run scoring hit in the fifth.  The Mets rookie exits on the losing side of a 4-2 game.  Jack DiLauro enters in relief of Gentry and douses the fire.  Tommie Agee's RBI double off Sutton in the fifth makes it 4-3 in favor of the Dodgers.  When Sutton yields consecutive singles to Cleon Jones and Art Shamsky leading off the seventh Walter Alston summons Jim Brewer from the pen.  Ken Boswell's bunt single loads the bases.  Ron Swoboda then clears the bases with a double to left/center, and Jerry Grote's follow-up hit scores Swoboda giving the Mets a 7-4 lead and ultimate margin of victory.  Cal Koonce closes out the game with three scoreless innings of two-hit ball with two strikeouts in notching his sixth win of the season.

The Mets close out their ten game home stand with an outstanding 9-1 record, which includes sweeps of the Padres and the aforementioned Dodgers.  Their lone loss comes against the Giants in extra-innings on Thursday.  Otherwise the Mets are now winners of 16 of their last 24 games and since falling ten games back just two short weeks ago have clawed their way back to within 5.5 games of the Cubs.  Chicago (79-48) is 5-5 in over their last ten games.

• Mets Record: 71-52 (.577)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/17/1969: Mets Sweep Consecutive Twin Bills From Padres

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

San Diego Padres @ New York Mets
Double-Header
Shea Stadium

• GAME ONE; Sunday, Aug. 17, 1969 - BR

San Diego takes a 2-0 lead after four and a half on runs batted in from center fielder Ivan Murrell and second baseman Jose Arcia.  In the bottom half of the fifth Duffy Dyer connects off Padres starter Joe Niekro with two men on, and just like that the Mets give Jerry Koosman a 3-2 lead.  Koosman goes the distance allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts en route to his tenth victory of the season against eight losses with a stellar 2.23 ERA.

• GAME TWO; Sunday Aug. 17, 1969 - BR

How do you put a 4-7 road trip in the rear view mirror?  Answer: win four games in the span of two days at home.  The Mets do just that with back-to-back double-header sweeps this weekend against the expansion Padres.

Mets starter Don Cardwell and San Diego's Clay Kirby duel through six scoreless innings.  Ed Kranepool opens the bottom of the seventh with a single to right, and is replaced with pinch-runner Al Weis.  After Jerry Grote draws a base on balls, Bud Harrelson clears the bases with a triple to right/center.  Still with no outs J.C. Martin lofts a sac-fly to center scoring Harrelson.  Cardwell exits on the winning side of a three run game, having allowed no runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts through seven full.  However San Diego strikes for a pair in the eighth off Cal Koonce whom faces three batters and fails to record an out.  Manager Hodges summons Ron Taylor to put out the fire.  Taylor obliges with two scoreless innings of one-hit ball for his 12th save.  Cardwell earns his fifth victory.  The Mets gain one game on the first place Cubs.

• Mets Record:
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8 GB

Amazin' Date 8/9/1969: Seaver Edges Out Braves for Victory Number Sixteen

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Game #109:  Saturday, August 9, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Stadium

On the strength of Tom Seaver's right arm and a 13 hit attack the Mets take game three of their weekend series at Atlanta.  New York jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the third on a home run from Tommy Agee and Wayne Garrett's two RBI single plating Bobby Pheil and Cleon Jones.  In the bottom half of the frame the Mets are reminded whom exactly they're up against when both Hank Aaron and Orlando Cepeda connect on back-to-back home runs off Seaver.  Atlanta then ties the game in the fourth when Seaver's throwing error permits Hank Aaron to score all the way from first.  But Seaver makes up for his misplay with a lead-off base hit in the top of the seventh, then scoring via Cleon Jones' base hit to left.  The Mets pick up an insurance run in the eighth when Braves reliever Paul Doyle issues Ron Swoboda a bases loaded walks en rout to a 5-3 final score. Tom Seaver improves to 16-7 on the season with a 2.66 ERA.  He yields three runs, two earned, on six hits and five walks with three strikeouts through 7.1 innings pitched.  Cal Koonce picks up his seventh save with 1.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with a strikeout for his seventh save of the season.  Tommie Agee is 3 for 4 with with a RBI and run scored.  Jones is 2 for 3 with two walks and a double, and a run scored.  Cleon Jones drives home his team leading 65th RBI of the season.

• Mets Record: 61-48
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8.5 games back

Amazin' Date 8/1/1969: Koonce and Grote Turn Back Braves

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #100: Friday, August 1, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

One Hundred Games Down; Sixty-Two More To Go

The Mets outlast Atlanta in game one at Shea Stadium, but the same can not be said of starter Don Cardwell who pitches himself into immediate trouble.  Felipe Alou leads off the game with a single.  Next in Tony Gonzalez is struck with a pitch by Cardwell whom then issues a walk to Hank Aaron loading the bases.  Cardwell issues a second straight walk scoring Alou from third.  With one out Felix Millan singles to left driving in two and knocking Cardwell out of the box.  Cal Koonce is summoned from the bullpen.

Braves starter Phil Niekro promptly comes under siege as well.  The Mets open the bottom half of the frame with three straight hits.  With two outs and the bases jammed, Niekro walks Ron Swoboda scoring Bud Harrelson from third.  Rod Gaspar follows with a single to right scoring both Bobby Phiel and Tommie Agee.  With Jerry Grote at the plate, Swoboda scores on a passed ball charged to catcher Bob Didier.  Three innings later, Jerry Grote connects on a lead-off home run off Niekro giving the Mets a 5-3 lead after four.

Orlando Cepeda cuts the Mets lead to one with an RBI double in the seventh.  Otherwise Cal Koonce allows just one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts though 6.1 innings in relief of Cardwell to earn his fifth victory of the season.  Ron Taylor closes the game with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit baseball for his tenth save of the season.

The Mets snap a four game losing streak but fail to gain ground on the Cubs.

• Mets Record: 56-44 (.560)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6.5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/30/1969: Houston Astros Dominate Twin Bill at Shea Stadium

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Games #97 & #98
Houston Astros @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Clean up on Roosevelt Avenue, please.  Houston makes a complete mess of the Mets in both games of Wednesday's doubleheader at Shea Stadium, outscoring their fellow expansion brothers by an overall 27-8 margin.

GAME ONE: July 30, 1969 - BR

Houston's 16-3 victory marks the most runs allowed in one game by the Mets this season.  The Astros initially hold a modest 5-3 lead through the eighth.  But in the ninth Cal Koonce and Ron Taylor prove completely ineffective and the game goes awry.  Houston strikes for eleven runs, sending 15 batters to the plate, and getting home runs from Denis Menke and the toy cannon Jim Wynn.  Jerry Koosman admittedly struggles, yielding five runs, three earned, with five walks and two strikeouts.  He is credited with the loss and sees his record drop to 8-6 with a still fine 2.08 ERA.  Ed Kranepool drives in his 40th run of the season with a two out single in the fourth.

GAME TWO: July 30, 1969 - BR

The Astros explode for another ten runs in the third inning en route to an 11-5 final in game two.  Mets starter Gary Gentry is knocked out of the box after just 2.2 innings pitched, but not before surrendering eight earned runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts.  Houston then roughs up Nolan Ryan for another three earned runs on four hits and two walks, with seven strikeouts.  Astros starter Larry Dierker pitches to the scoreboard, allowing five runs, four earned, on 12 hits and one walk with nine strikeouts for his 13th victory of the season.  Ed Kranepool is 3 for 4 with a double, home run, and four more RBI on the day.

The Mets fall to 2-6 against the Astros this season.  They are now just 2-4 on this home stand.

• Mets Record: 55-43 (.561)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5.5 GB

Amazin' Date 7/16/19: Slugging Mets Take Series at Wrigley

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #88: Wednesday, July 16, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field

The Mets win rubber game at Wrigley; close within four games of the first place Cubs.

Said simply, both starting pitchers Don Cardwell and Fergie Jenkins are terrible.  The Cubs rough up Cardwell for four runs on six hits in only 1.2 innings pitched.  The Mets meanwhile tag Jenkins for five runs on six hits.  Tommie Agee finally knocks Jenkins out if the box with a home run leading off the second.  The Mets ultimately prevail by a 9-5 final.  Al Weis hits his second home run in as many days, and Art Shamsky hits his seventh home run of the season.  J.C Martin, Ed Kranepool, Ken Boswell, and Wayne Garrett, also drive in runs for the Mets.  Cal Koonce earns his fourth victory with a marvelous five inning effort, yielding no runs on four hits with a strikeout.  Ron Taylor closes out the game with two scoreless innings in relief of Koonce to earn his ninth save of the season.

Chicago still leads the season series by a slim 7-6 margin.  The Mets and Cubs do not meet again until September.  In the meantime, the dog days of summer are upon us.

• Mets Record: 51-37 (.579)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Amazin' Date 7/6/1969: Mets Sweep Pirates Series at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #79: Sunday, July 6, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

After a day off, the Mets pick up where they leave off on Friday.  Donn Clendenon opens the scoring with a first inning double scoring Bobby Pheil.  However, the Mets find themselves trailing 6-1 after two innings of play.  Starter Jim McAndrew can not pitch out of the first upon surrendering four runs on Roberto Clemente's RBI, and three run home run from catcher Jerry May.  Clemente drives in another two runs in the second.

The Mets comeback commences in the fourth with runs batted in from Jerry Grote and Ron Swoboda.  Ed Charles then homers off Pirates starter Luke Walker in the fifth.  An inning later Cleon Jones knocks in his 51st run of the season, and Donn Clendenin follows with a big three run home run off Bucs reliever Chuck Hartenstein giving the Mets an 8-6 lead.  Cal Koonce yields a run in the bottom half of the sixth but otherwise yields just three hits and no walks with six strikeouts over the final four innings of play.  Ron Taylor is credited with the victory, and Koonce earns his sixth save.

With Sunday's 8-7 victory the Mets complete a three game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field.  They outscore the heavy hitting Bucs through three games by a 28-15 margin.  The Mets are now winners of five in a row and close out the road trip with a 6-2 record.

The Mets are heading home where they'll face the first place Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record: 45-34
• N.L. East: 2nd; 5.5 GB

Amazin' Date 5/16/1969: Mets Seventh Inning Outburst Overwhelms Reds

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #34: Friday, May 16, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Cincinnati Reds

Crosley Field

Tommie Agee caps comeback; Koonce holds on for victory

It's the Reds turn to host the Mets.

Starting in place of Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw climbed the hill in game one at Crosley Field on Friday.  The Mets jumped Reds starter Jack Fisher straightaway for six hits and two runs, knocking him out of the box after just 1.1 innings of work.  However, McGraw would surrender an RBI single to left fielder Alex Johnson in the third, then yield Lee May's eighth home run of the season in the fourth.

FINAL

Mets  10

Reds    9

After trading runs in the fifth, Ed Kranepool led off the top of the sixth with a double, then scored the go ahead run on Tug McGraw's bouncer to second (fielder's choice).  But the Mets lead was fleeting.  Leading off the bottom half of the frame Tommy Helms and Johnny Bench stroked consecutive singles off McGraw.  Manager Hodges relieved McGraw with Ron Taylor.  Pinch hitter Jimmy Stewart promptly introduced himself with a three run home run for a 6-4 Reds lead.

Wayne Garrett led off the seventh with a hit, then advanced to second on a passed ball.  With two outs, the Mets proceeded to bat around the order, mustering six runs on another seven hits for an abrupt 10-6 turnaround.  Undaunted, Cincinnati rallied for three runs off Cal Koonce in the bottom half of the frame, which included a Johnny Bench home run.

Koonce regrouped to retire seven of his next nine batters to close out the Reds and earn his second victory of the season.

Tommie Agee's onslaught continues - he went 2 for 5 with a triple and two decisive runs batted in.  Rod Gaspar also had two RBI.  Ed Kranepool went 3 for 5 with one RBI just as Bud Harrelson was 3 for 5 also with an RBI.

• Mets Record: 16-18 (.470)
• N.L. East: 3rd; 7.5 GB

Amazin' Date 4/27/1969: Cleon Jones Blast Sends Shea Crowd Home Happy

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #17: Sunday, April 27, 1969 - BR
Double Header: Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

GAME ONE: Cubs Make Mets Pay for Late Inning Mistakes; Take Third Straight at Shea Stadium.

A mere two outs away from certain victory, the Mets failed to close out the front end of Sunday's double-header against the first place Cubs and as a result paid the price.

The Mets staked starting pitcher Gary Gentry to an early 3-0 lead in the first on runs batted in by Cleon Jones, Ed Kranepool, and Ron Swoboda.  But Chicago struck back with a pair of runs in the third on a two RBI double off the bat of Ron Santo.  After surrendering consecutive hits to Don Kessinger and Glen Beckert leading off the fifth, left fielder Billy Williams plated the tying run on a fielder's choice.

Cubs starter Dick Selma was chased from the game in the bottom of the fifth.  Upon surrendering consecutive hits to Wayne Garrett and Ken Boswell, Cleon Jones sent Selma heading for the showers with an opposite field double scoring both runners.  Clones would advance to third on Kranepool's sac fly, then scored on Swododa's sac fly to center giving the Mets a 6-3 lead.

Gary Gentry exited the game on the winning side of a 6-3 game after pitching six full innings, while allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts.  He was lifted for a pinch hitter with one in the home sixth.

Enter Cal Koonce in relief of Gentry  After retiring his first five batters faced, he issued a two out walk to Randy Hundley in the eighth, then yielded Al Spangler's RBI double to left scoring Hundley to bring the Cubs within one.

FINAL

Cubs   8

Mets   6

With Cal Koonce still pitching in the top the ninth, Don Kessinger drew a lead-off walk.  Then with one out Billy William reached safely on an E4 charged to Wayne Garrett.  Next up, Ron Santo likewise reached safely on an E5 charged to Kevin Collins; Kessinger scored.  Ernie Banks followed with a single to score Williams.  Randy Hundley would then deliver the final blow with a three run home run off Koonce for an 8-6 Cubs lead, and ultimate final margin of victory.  Chicago's Phil Regan struck out the side in the ninth to close out the Mets and earn his fourth relief victory of the season.

Cal Koonce is charged with both his second blown save and second loss of the season.  Making an appearance on his throw day, Tom Seaver faced two batters in the ninth, walking one and fanning the other.  Koonce has now surrendered eleven runs (seven earned) on nine hits and 13 walks in 10.1 innings for a 6.10 ERA through seven appearances to date.


Game #18: Sunday, April 27, 1969 - BR
Game Two: Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Game Two: Cleon Jones Ninth Inning Home Run Sends Shea Stadium Crown Home Happy; Mets Gain Split of Twinbill.

After losing game one in heartbreaking fashion, the Met orchestrated a most thrilling game two finish to at least send the Shea Stadium crowd of over 37,000 smiling all the way home.

Making his fifth start of the season, sophomore starter Jim McAndrew toed the rubber in Sunday's series finale, and was opposed by Chicago's Rich Nye.  For the first five innings the two dueled through a scoreless tie.

McAndrew's counterpart reached safely leading off the top of the sixth on an E4 charged to Ken Boswell (his eighth of the season).  When Don Kessinger followed with a sharp hit to right, Manager Hodges turned to his bullpen with haste.  Tug Mcgraw would pitch four scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six.

Rich Nye continued pressing on for the Cubs, and continued shutting out the Mets through eight full innings.  Leading off the ninth, however, Rod Gaspar would make it safely to second on an untimely error by Billy Williams.  From the dugout, Leo Durocher then ordered Ken Boswell be given an intentional pass.  Next up, Ed Charles was retired on a pop foul behind third base.  Then in stepped the red hot Cleon Jones who is presently hitting above the.400 mark.  Yet Leo made no move from the Cubs dugout.  And so with one out and the double play in order, Rich Nye served, and Cleon Jones volleyed Nye's pitch over the left field wall for a three run home run to end the game in most dramatic fashion.

FINAL

Cubs   0

Mets   3

Tommie Agee appeared as a pinch hitter with one out in the eighth.  It marked his first game back since last playing ten days ago against the Pirates.  Cleon Jones continues his hot hitting, going 2 for 4, with three RBI.  He is now batting .443 for the season.

Amazin' Date 4/20/1969: Mets Complete Sweep Over Cardinals

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #12: Sunday, April 20, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium

Mets Bats Strike Back; Lift Nolan Ryan to Victory

The Mets complete their first sweep of the season, albeit a two game set, and gain a measure of revenge against the defending N.L. champion St. Louis Cardinals.

But it was the Cardinals whom jumped out to an early lead off Mets starter Jim McAndrew.  Joe Torre connected on a two-run home run, and third baseman Mike Shannon delivered a run scoring double to left giving host St. Louis a 3-0 first inning lead.

McAndrew was relieved after three innings in favor of hard throwing Nolan Ryan.  After which the Mets bats were enlivened.  With an RBI double by Jerry Grote in the second, and a five run outburst in the fifth a home run by third baseman fill-in Kevin Collins, and RBI's from Ed Kranepool and Ron Swoboda, the Mets placed Ryan on the winning side of the equation.  Kranepool and Swoboda would again drive in another run apiece in the seventh inning.  And with the bases loaded in the ninth, Jerry Grote capped off the Mets scoring with a bases clearing double.

FINAL

Mets        11

Cardinals  3

Nolan Ryan picked up his first victory of the season, allowing no runs on just one hit and three walks, with four strikeouts.  Cal Koonce pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Ryan for his third save of the season.

Mets Record:  5-7
N.L. East:  3rd; 5.5 BG

Amazin' Date 4/17/1969: Mets Drop Second Straight at Forbes Field

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Ten: Thursday, April 17, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Forbes Field

Don Cardwell Suffers Hard Luck Loss; Pirates Sweep Mets at Forbes.

At 36-years of age, the old veteran showed em how it's done.  Stalwart hurler Jim Bunning took one step closer to achieving his 200th victory by holding the Mets scoreless on just three hits and two walks, with nine strikeouts through six innings pitched.  His first victory of the season is the 196th of his stellar career.  Ron Kline, pitching in relief of Bunning finished out the game with two scoreless innings of no-hit ball to earn his first save of the season.  With Thursday's joint effort 4-0 whitewashing of the Mets, the Pirates sweep both games of this abbreviated set by a 15-3 aggregate score.

Mets starter Don Cardwell matched Bunning pitch for pitch through seven innings of work.  But committed one very costly mistake. After issuing a walk to third baseman Richie Hebner leading off the fifth and with Roberto Clemente at the plate, Cardwell unleashed his first wild pitch of the inning.  Roberto Clemente's ground out then advanced Hebner to third.  With Willie Stargell at the plate Cardwell unleashed his second wild pitch allowing Hebner to score.

Insurance came in the eighth.  Al Oliver's three run home run off Cal Koonce lifted the Pirates to a final 4-0 margin of victory.

Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen threw out two would be base-stealers.

Rod Gaspar, Cleon Jones, and J.C. Martin were the lone Mets to hit safely.

Mets have now lost six of their last seven.  Next stop is St. Louis for another two game rematch against the Cardinals whom swept three games from the Mets last week at Shea Stadium.

• Mets Record:  3-7
• N.L. East:  5th; 6 GB

Amazin' Date 4/15/1969: Ed Kranepool Comes Through in the Pinch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game Eight: Tuesday, April 15, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies
Connie Mack Stadium

Mets Salvage Split at Philadelphia: Snap Skid at Four.

Batting against New York's Gary Gentry, Philadelphia third baseman Deron Johnson staked his pitcher to an early 1-0 lead with an RBI hit in the first.  In turn, starter Chris Short limited the Mets to just one hit through his first four innings of work.  But New York would finally catch up to him in the fifth.  Buddy Harrelsson drove in a pair and Tommie Agee drove in another putting the Mets ahead by two.

Leading off the sixth, Don Money's home run brought the Phils to within one.  Gentry yielded three more hits in the seventh; right fielder Johnny Callison's base hit to left scored Dick Allen from third base tying the game at three.

Pitching in relief of Chris Sort, Gary Wagner surrendered consecutive hits opening the eighth inning to Ken Boswell and Cleon Jones.  The Mets then loaded the bases when Wagner mishandled a sacrifice attempt by Amos Otis.  Wagner twice escaped harm by inducing Ron Swoboda and Jerry Grote into ground ball force-outs at home.  But Buddy Harrelson finally made Wagner pay for his fielding error with a hit through the infield scoring Otis.  Pinch hitting for Gentry, Ed Kranepool doubled to left scoring Swoboda and Grote.  All three runs were unearned.

FINAL

Mets      6

Phillies  3

Cal Koonce earned a save for two innings of perfect relief.  Gary Gentry allowed three earned runs on eight hits and three walks, with four strikeouts in winning his second decision of the season.

The Mets gain a split of their abbreviated two game series against the Phillies, but moreover snap their losing streak at four.

Onward to Pittsburgh for another short two game set against the Pirates.

• Mets Record: 3-5
• N.L. East: 4th; 4 GB