The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: Willie McCovey

Showing posts with label Willie McCovey. Show all posts

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Amazin' Date 8/31/1969: Tom Seaver Defeats Giants for 19th Victory of Season

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

Games #129 and #130
New York Mets @ San Francisco Giants
Candlestick Park

Giants Salvage Series Split at Candlestick Park

GAME ONE: Sunday, August 31, 1969 - BR

With a five run outburst in the fourth and three more runs in the fifth New York rolls to an 8-0 whitewashing of the Giants. Ron Swoboda, Jerry Grote, and Al Weis, each drive in a pair of runs apiece. Bud Harrelson is 2 for 5 with an RBI, and starter Tom Seaver helps his own cause with a hit and an RBI; his fourth of the season. On the mound Tom Seaver allows just seven hits and three walks with eleven strikeouts for the complete game shutout. He improves to 19-8 with a 2.54 ERA. It's the fourth time this season Seaver fans double-digits, and now gives him 175 for the season.

GAME TWO: Sunday, August 31, 1969 - BR

The Giants salvage game two and gain a four game split as the Mets lose a heart-breaker in extra innings at Candlestick Park. San Francisco scores straightaway against starter Jim McAndrew on Don Mason's lead-off hit, Ken Henderson's one-out triple to right, and Jim Ray Hart's RBI hit for a 2-0 first inning lead. The Mets eventually strike back in the seventh when Ron Swoboda connects on his sixth home run of the season with Cleon Jones aboard. The game remains deadlocked at two after nine, and into extra innings they go. Pitching into the bottom of the eleventh, Tug McGraw issues a lead-off walk, and a hit by Willie McCovey. Manager Hodges opts for Ron Taylor whom intentionally walks Bobby Bonds loading the bases. However with Jim Davenport at the plate Taylor issues a second straight walk forcing in the game winning run in from third. Jim McAndrew puts forth a fine performance allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through nine innings full. But it's Tug McGraw whom incurs his third loss of the season.

The Mets lose a half-game in the standings, as Ken Holtzman and the Cubs again defeat Phil Niekro and the Braves at Atlanta. However the Mets close out the month of August with a stellar 21-10 record and enter September winners of 13 of their last 16 games. The Cubs close out August with an 18-10 record.

Mets Record: 76-54
N.L. East: 2nd; 4.5 GB

Friday, August 30, 2019

Amazin' Date 8/30/1969: Mets Defeat Gaylord Perry in Ten Innings

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #128: Saturday, August 30, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ San Francisco Giants
Candlestick Park

The triumvirate of Don Cardwell, Ron Taylor, and Tug McGraw best Giants starter Gaylord Perry at Candlestick.

The Mets put up the first run of the day on Bud Harrelson's RBI hit in the second. In the third, however, Cardwell yields a lead off base hit to his counterpart then walks three straight forcing in a run. New York retakes the lead on Jerry Grote's hit to right scoring Ken Boswell from second in the sixth. But the Giants answer with haste in the seventh on Willie McCovey's double scoring former Mets all-star Ron Hunt. The game remains tied at two through nine, and into extra-innings they go. The Mets waste little time as Donn Clendenon with two outs in the tenth homers off Perry. Tug McGraw then retires the Giants in order.

Don Cardwell surrenders just two earned runs on five hits, but walks seven batters and fans two. He does not figure in the decision. Ron Taylor finishes up the eighth inning in relief of Cardwell. Tug McGraw earns his seventh victory of the season with two scoreless innings in relief of Taylor. Gaylord Perry pitches all ten innings, yielding three runs, two earned, on nine hits and no walks with nine strikeouts en route to his 11th loss of the season against 16 wins and a 2.63 ERA.

Clendenon hits his fifth home run since joining the Mets. Ken Boswell is 3 for 4 with a double and run scored. He is 9 for 20 (.450) since his return to action on Aug. 23 and in the midst of a six game hitting streak.

With their 75th victory of the season, the Mets even the series at one with a double-header on tap for Sunday. However they fail to gain ground on Chicago whom defeat the Braves at Atlanta. Willie Mays who has only played 12 games this month has yet to make an appearance this series.

Mets Record: 75-53 (.586)
N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Amazin' Date 8/29/1969: Juan Marichal Blanks Mets at Candlestick

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

GAME #130: Friday, August 29, 1969
New York Mets @ San Francisco Giants
Candlestick Park

Juan Marichal is indeed the Dominican Dandy. The Giants starter pitches a gem in Friday's opening game of a weekend series at Candlestick Park. He limits the Mets to just four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in a complete game shutout performance. Marichal improves to 16-9 with a 2.28 ERA. Bobby Pheil accounts for two of the Mets four hits off Marichal.

Willie McCovey drives in San Francisco's first run of the game and Bobby Bonds jolts a three run home run off Mets starter Gary Gentry all in the first inning. The Giants pick up another unearned run off Jack DiLauro in the sixth for a 5-0 margin of victory.

Gary Gentry allows four earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts through five innings. It's his third straight road loss in August during which he has yielded 16 earned runs through 34.2 innings for a 4.21 ERA.

Yesterday's off day coupled with Chicago's victory over the Atlanta Braves drops the Mets four games behind the Cubs.

Mets Record: 73-57
N.L. East: 2nd; 4 GB

Monday, June 10, 2019

Amazin' Date 6/10/1969: Red Hot Mets Win Eleventh in a Row

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #52: Tuesday, June 10, 1969 - BR.
New York Mets @ San Francisco Giants
Candlestick Park

Tommie Agee and Cleon Jones Power Don Cardwell to Victory Over Giants

The Amazins did it again ... winning Tuesday's series opener at Candlestick Park against the San Francisco Giants, and thus extending their franchise record setting winning streak to eleven straight games.

Hard luck starter Don Cardwell this time was the beneficiary of 13 Mets hits and nine runs en route to only his second victory of the season. However most know his 3.05 ERA is far more indicative of his performance than six losses on his record for he has pitched quite well through eleven starts to date. On this day he allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts through 8.1 innings pitched. After limiting the Giants to just one run through the first eight, Cardwell was chased from the box in the ninth by home runs from Willie McCovey and Jack Hiatt.

For the Giants however, it was too little too late. The Mets bats had their way against starter Mike McCormick, and relievers Ron Herbel and Ray Sadecki. In the bottom of the fourth, Tommie Agee's home run tied the game at one. Agee batted 4 for 5 and would hit his second home run of the game leading off the ninth. Cleon Jones hit his eighth home run in the seventh. Jerry Grote was 3 for 4 with a double and a run batted in.

Ron Taylor earned his fifth save.

FINAL

Mets 9

Giants 4

The Mets are now six games above the .500 mark. But despite an eleven game win streak, the first place Cubs since May 28 have yielded but two games in the standings to the second place Mets, whom remain seven games out of first. The Cubs presently own a National League best 37-17 record. On the same day the Mets embarked on their eleven game march, the Cubs likewise went on to win seven straight games.

Mets Record: 29-23 (.557)
N.L. East: 2nd; 7 GB

Saturday, June 01, 2019

Amazin' Date 6/1/1969: Mets Walk Away With Sweep Over Giants

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #45: Sunday, June 1, 1969- BR
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Mets complete a weekend sweep of the San Francisco Giants; Extend winning streak to a season best four games.

Each of Sunday afternoon's starting pitchers found themselves taking unexpectedly early showers. Jim McAndrew for the Mets was lifted after just 1.2 innings pitched, while Giants starter Bobby Bolin tossed 4.2 innings before likewise yielding to the pen.

The Giants scored single runs in each of the first two innings. A rare error by Bud Harrelson led to an unearned run in the first, while a wild pitch unleashed by Don Cardwell pitching in relief of McAndrew in the second helped the Giants gain a 2-0 advantage. The Mets struck right back. With one out in the bottom half of the second both Ron Swoboda and Ed Charles singled putting runners on the corners. Next up, Jerry Grote drove them both home with a triple into the right/center gap. However, Willie McCovey put the Giants ahead again in the fifth with his 16th home run of the season. Undaunted, the Mets chased Bolin from the mound in the bottom half of the frame with two runs on four hits and two walks. But in their very next at-bat, San Francisco knotted the game again at four apiece courtesy of a two-out RBI hit from third baseman Jim Davenport.

Facing Giants reliever Joe Gibbon, Bud Harrelson led-off the bottom of the ninth drawing a four pitch walk. After Tommy Agee successfully bunted Harrelson over to second, Wayne Garrett grounded third to first advancing Harrelson to third. Gibbon then issued Cleon Jones an intentional walk, then perhaps pitch around Amos Otis and walked him as well. With the bases loaded, Ron Swoboda stepped in against Joe Gibbon whom issued yet another walk thus forcing home Buddy Harrelson with the game winning run.

Jim McAndrew allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks in 1.2 innings of work. Forced into long relief duty Don Cardwell yielded two earned runs on five hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts. Ron Taylor earned the win after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

The Mets exceeded 125,000 in attendance over the three game series against the Giants. They'll next host that other California team from Los Angeles.

Mets Record: 22-23 (.400)
N.L. East: 3rd; 9 GB

Friday, May 31, 2019

Amazin' Date 5/31/1969: Ed Charles Stars in Mets Victory Over Giants

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #44: Saturday, May 31,1969 - BR
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Gentry and The Glider Lead Mets in Game Two Victory at Shea

For a fourth time this season, the Mets are winners of three in a row. On Saturday, they emerged victorious for a second straight game over the visiting San Francisco Giants.

The rookie Gary Gentry climbed the hill at Shea Stadium and was opposed by the wily Gaylord Perry. All remained quiet through their first respective turns through the line-up. In the fourth, Willie McCover broke the silence with a long two run home run off Gentry. But the Mets promptly struck back in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs, Ed Kranepool singled, and Ron Swoboda followed with a walk. Ed Charles then connected off Perry on a three run home run. Charles would provide the Mets with an insurance run in the eighth, plating Wayne Garrett with a one-out base hit to left/center for a 4-2 Mets lead, and ultimate margin of victory.

Gary Gentry evened his record at 4-4 on the season, allowing San Francisco two runs on five hits and three walks, with six strikeouts through seven innings of work. Tug McGraw pitched two scoreless innings with four strikeouts en route to his first save of the season.

Mets Record: 21-23
N.L. East: 3rd; 9 GB

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Amazin' Date 5/30/1969: Mets Thrill Packed Shea with 4-3 Victory Over Giants

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #43: Friday, May 30, 1969 - BR
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Seaver and Swoboda Lead Mets Over Giants

As expected Shea Stadium was filled to capacity with both home town Metropolitan fans and the old forsaken and ever loyal Giants fans alike for the opening game of a weekend series against the reviled visitors from San Francisco.

The Mets undeniable ace Tom Seaver climbed the hill for New York City's National League squad and was opposed by San Francisco's southpaw Mike McCormick.

Leading off the top of the second, Willie "stretch" McCovey connected off Seaver for his 14th home run of the season. Former Mets standout and all-star second baseman Ron Hunt gave the Giants a 2-0 lead with an RBI base hit in the third. McCovey then drove in his second run of the game increasing the Giants lead to three on a sac fly to left off Seaver in the sixth.

FINAL

Giants 3

Mets 4

Ron Swoboda finally got the Mets on the board when he connected off McCormick on a lead-off home run in the seventh. With two outs in the eighth, Ken Boswell knocked McCormick out of the box upon hitting his very first home run of the season. After which, Ron Swoboda and Duffy Dyer both drove in a run apiece with base hits off reliever Frank Linzy to give the Mets their final 4-3 margin of victory.

Tom Seaver pitched eight innings in a winning effort, allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk, with eight strikeouts. He is now 7-3 for the season with a 2.53 ERA. Ron Taylor earned his second save, striking out both Willie Mays and Willie McCovey as part of a scoreless ninth.

Mets Record: 20-23 (.465)
N.L. East: 3rd: 9 GB