Today in Mets History: 1969- Swoboda Helps Mets Sweep Two At Wrigley

May 4, 1969: In Chicago the Cubs were already talking World Series, fielding their best team since the turn of the century. The Mets came to an overflowing Wrigley Field crowd of over 40,000 for an Sunday afternoon double header.

In the first game Tom Seaver was terrific pitching a 2 run complete game striking out seven Cubbies for his third victory of the season. At this point Seaver was 3-2 with an ERA of 2.28. The loser was Cubs pitcher Bill Hands who gave up three runs in 5 innings pitched. Not that this is becoming an Ed Kranepool blog, but Eddie did it again today bashing his 3rd HR of the year to tie the game in the 4th inning. The top of the 5th was classic Mets small ball, Seaver walked, Rod Gaspar singles, then Ken Boswell singles home Seaver 2-1 Mets. Next Ron Swoboda becomes the unsung hero of the game with a sac fly RBI that would be the difference. Swobo was just warming up.

In the 2nd game the Mets Tug McGraw still not the ace reliever yet, got the start against Dick Selma. In the 1st the Mets scored two quick runs, Ken Boswell drove home Rod Gaspar (again) on a base hit and then Cleon Jones who was batting .400, drove him home. But the Cubs came right back with two in the bottom of the 1st, almost knocking out McGraw. The Mets were starting to become amazing, Tug would go on to finish the game not allowing another run the rest of the way & striking out 8 mighty Cubs. He would best his record to 3-0 on the season.
How did the Mets get the winning run? In the 7th ining Ron Swoboda walked & reached second on a Al Weis single. Then Cubs pitcher Dick Selma throws a wild pitch, and as Todd's dad Randy Hundley goes chasing it, Ron Swoboda (never known for his speed) scores all the way from second base. That run was the difference, Swobo was the hero again. The Mets gained two games in the standings and were now six games behind Chicago just approaching .500.