Today In Mets History: 1988- Benches Clear As David Cone Plunks Guerrero

May 22, 1988: The Mets were riding high with a 5 1/2 game lead over Pittsburgh as they rolled into Dodger Stadium after sweeping the Padres in San Diego. On the 1st night in Los Angeles Dwight Gooden pitches a complete game shutout, making him 8-0 on the season. In the game Gooden drills Dodger short stop Alfredo Griffin with a fastball fracturing his wrist. Later Dodger pitcher Brian Holton retaliates by plunking Howard Johnson. End of drama, Mets win 4-0.

The next night David Cone goes for the Mets, and throws two high & tight pitches to Pedro Guerrero.On the next pitch he throws a 75 mph curve ball that bounces off Petey's shoulder and bounces off his head. Pedro glares at Cone, then swings his bat & flings it at him. The bat harmlessly rolls over toward shortstop Kevin Elster. As Guerrero walks toward the mound, he is stopped by Mets catcher Barry Lyons & quick advancing Howard Johnson. The benches clear but no punches are thrown and all cools down. NL President Bartlett Giamatti suspends Guerrero for four games with a $1000 fine.

The Mets went on to win the game 5-2 as all the runs are scored in the first two innings, all RBIs by Keith Hernandez & Daryl Strawberry. Straw blasted his 11th home run of the year off Fernando Valenzuela. David Cone bests his record to 6-0 and Roger McDowell got his 5th save of the year. The Mets would sweep the series in L.A. and go on to win 7 in a row before being stopped in San Francisco.