1973 NLCS Game #2: Matlack One Hits the Big Red Machine

October 7th, 1973- NLCS Game #2: In Game #1 the Mets lost a heartbreaker, 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning as Johnny Bench hit a HR off a tiring Tom Seaver. In Game #2 it was all Mets, and on the mound all Jon Matlack. Matlack put in one of the best pitching performances in Mets history as he shut down the Big Red Machine, throwing a two hit shut out. He only allowed two runners to ever get as far as second base, striking out nine Reds along the way.

His opponent Don Gullet pitched well himself, in the 4th inning Rusty Staub connected for a HR over the high Riverfront Stadium wall putting the Mets up 1-0. That score would stand until the top of the 9th inning, when the Mets sent 10 men to the plate scoring four more times to even up the Series.

With one out, Felix Millan singled, off the Reds Tom Hall. Rusty Staub walked, and Cleon Jones singled to centerfield. As Cesar Geronimo attempted to nail Millan at home both runners advanced. Pedro Borbon relieved Hall and intentionally walked John Milner. With the bases loaded Jerry Grote singled home two more runs making it 4-0. Don Han & Bud Harrelson followed with base hits finishing up the inning with a 5-0 lead. Matlack retired the side in order in the bottom of the 9th and the Mets wrapped up a 5-0 victory.

In the locker room, the joyous Mets celebrated Matlack’s great performance. Bud Harrelson joked the Reds looked like me hitting out there today. Those words would set the stage for one of the most famous brawls in baseball history in the next game. For now the Mets happily boarded a flight back to New York for Game #3.