May 27, 1986: 35,643 show up at Shea on a Tuesday night as the Mets host the Dodgers. The Mets were on a three game winning streak securely in 1st place by 4 1/2 games over the Expos. Ron Darling pitched a complete game five hitter, only allowing one run and striking out twelve. Darling had great stuff, he struck out Franklin Stubbs three times, and Ken Landreaux & Mike Marshall twice each. Everyone else in the Dodger starting line, up except Mike Scioscia & Greg Brock, struck o
ut at least once. Darling was still undefeated thru the first two months of the season, after this win he went to 6-0. George Foster who's days were numbered as a Met, had a big blow on this night. Tommy Lasorda removed his started Bob Welch in the 6th inning with the bases loaded. George Foster then hit a grand slam HR off reliever Tom Niedenfuer, his 5th HR of the season. Niedenfuer was upset, he stared into 
the Dodger dugout, his third baseman Bill Madlock came over to calm him down. On the next pitch Niedenfuer hit Ray Knight on the elbow, not a wise thing to do. Knight dropped the bat and charged the mound tackling Niedenfuer, the benches cleared, punches wre thrown as the fighting '86 Mets were at it again. Order was restored, no one was ejected but both players were fined. Knight said he had no choice, when he got hit, he had to hit back. It seemed everyone was on the field fighting except George Foster, he would be released in the coming weeks.
the Dodger dugout, his third baseman Bill Madlock came over to calm him down. On the next pitch Niedenfuer hit Ray Knight on the elbow, not a wise thing to do. Knight dropped the bat and charged the mound tackling Niedenfuer, the benches cleared, punches wre thrown as the fighting '86 Mets were at it again. Order was restored, no one was ejected but both players were fined. Knight said he had no choice, when he got hit, he had to hit back. It seemed everyone was on the field fighting except George Foster, he would be released in the coming weeks.
Keith Hernandez added a solo shot in the seventh inning, for his 3rd of the year. Gary Carter had a sac fly scoring Wally Backman in the 4th inning and a single to score Backman again in the 6th. Backman himself drove in the other run as the Mets beat up the Dodgers in more ways than one 8-1.
I was at the game the next night when Dwight Gooden beat the Dodgers 4-2. We had great seats, 1st row on the Dodger dugout, and when Niedenfuer was brought in we really let him have it. The Shea faithful booed & harassed him & Lasorda mercifully. It was so bad Lasorda cried to the press about it!!
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