Today In Mets History: 1970- Seaver Throws His 2nd Career One Hitter

May 15th, 1970: A small crowd of just over 6000 gathered on a Friday night in Philadelphia for a meeting between the Mets and Phils. The Phillies were playing their last season at old Shibe Park, which had been their home since abandoning the Baker Bowl in 1938. (Shibe Park was also once home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1909-1954).

The Phils sent Woodie Fryman out against Tom Seaver, the reigning Cy Young winner. In the 3rd inning, Seaver already had 4 strikeouts, reserve catcher Mike Compton then singled to right field. It was the only hit Seaver would allow the rest of the day. Mike Compton only played 47 games lifetime, all in that 1970 season and was a .164 hitter. Much like Jim Qualls the season before, an obscure reserve player ruined Tom Seavers bid for a no hitter. Seaver struck out two more batters that inning and went on to fan 15 on the night. Two batters reached on errors by Joe Foy & Al Weis, and Seaver walked three making it a total of six base runners for the Phillies.

In the top of the 4th inning, Don Clendenon singled to right & Ron Swoboda doubled (his second of the day). With runners on 2nd & 3rd, Fryman threw a wild pitch scoring Clendenon. As Swoboda went to 3rd, Mike Compton threw wildly causing Swoboda to score as well, 2-0 Mets. In the 5th Cleon Jones & Clendenon both walked, hits by Joe Foy & Jerry Grote scored them as the Mets went on to a 4-0 victory.

Seaver went the distance, besting his record to 7-1 on the season, with an ERA of 1.96. The Mets kept pace with the Cubs, 1/2 game out of 1st place. The previous game two days earlier Gary Gentry had one hit the Cubs at Wrigley.