1969 NLCS Game #1: Seaver Wins Opener Beating Atlanta 9-5

October 4, 1969: It was the first NLCS Game in baseball history as the Amazing Mets took on the Braves at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium. It was a battle of two aces for sure as Atlanta’s 23 game winner Phil Niekro went up against 25 game Cy Young winner Tom Seaver. Both pitchers went past the 7th inning but they both allowed a lot of runs. Seaver got the win allowing five runs, as Niekro took the loss allowing nine runs.

In the Mets 2nd, Art Shamsky singled & Ken Boswell walked. Jerry Grote singled home the first run, then Neikro’s knuckleball git passed catcher Bob Didier and Boswell scored making it 2-0. The Braves took the lead after getting three consecutive doubles in the 3rd inning. In the 4th Bud Harrelson tripled to right field scoring Grote & Ed Kranepool putting the Mets back in front 4-3. Tony Gonzales homered off Seaver to put Atlanta ahead in the 7th inning before the Mets broke it open in the 8th inning.

The Mets had three straight hits by Wayne Garrett, Cleon Jones & Art Shamsky, followed by a Ken Boswell fielder’s choice making it 6-4. Then with the bases loaded Gil Hodges pulled Seaver for pinch hitter J.C. Martin. As usual Hodges move prevailed as Martin singled and all three runners scored on a fielding error, making it 9-5 Mets. Ron Taylor came on to close it out with two perfect innings, as the Mets won 9-5, taking a 1-0 Series lead.