Today In Mets History: 2000- Mets Score Club Record 10 Runs in 8th Inning

June 30, 2000: Things looked bad going into the bottom of the 8th inning of this Friday night game at Shea. A crowd of 52,000 saw Mike Hampton give up 5 runs, and a guy named Eric Cammack (who pitched 8 career Met games in 2000) give up another 3 to the rival Braves. Down 8-1 the Mets scored a run as Robin Ventura grounded out to second base for the second out. But a two out rally led to the Mets scoring 9 more runs, a total of a club record 10 in the inning. As they went on to beat the Braves 11-8.

Todd Zeile & Jay Payton singled, then Benny Agbayani walked and the Braves pitching fell apart. Kelly Ligtenberg walked Mark Johnson & Melvin Mora putting the score to 8-5. Terry Mullhond walked Derek Bell and another run scored, next Edgardo Alfonzo singled in two more runs to tie the game. The crowd went wild as Mike Piazza came to bat and blasted a three run HR over the wall. It topped off the record setting inning and proved to be the winning run.

Armondo Benitez got credited with the win moving the Mets within two games of 1st place, and the next night a 9-1 victory brought them within a game. On that Saturday Al Leiter improved to 10-1 combining with Turk Wendell on a six hitter.