1986 Mets Beat Houston in 16 Inning Epic to Win the Pennant

1986 NLCS Game #6: Game six began in the late afternoon New York time with the Mets up three games to two. It ended four hours and forty five minutes later in one of the greatest games ever. The epic began with Bobby Ojeda & Bob Knepper facing off again, and the possibility of Mike Scott already 2-0 in the Series looming for game seven.

Bobby O got roughed up for three runs in the first inning, he settled down but left after five innings, Rick Aguiler came on to throw three more scoreless innings but the Mets were still down 3-0 in the 9th. Houston’s Bob Knepper was outstanding until the 9th, with the Series on the line, he only allowed one hit & one walk. But in the 9th the Mets woke up. Lenny Dykstra sparked the team with a leadoff triple, he was brought home by Mookie Wilsons base hit. Then with one out, Keith Hernandez doubled home Mookie bringing the score to 3-2. Houston’s manager brought in reliever Dave Smith who walked Carter & Strawberry. Ray Knight hit a sac fly to tie the game. The city of Houston was devastated; New York was just waking up.

The game went on for seven more innings of nail biting drama, Roger Mcdowell pitched five shutout innings allowing only one run. Houston's Larry Anderson matched him with three hitless innings. In the 14th Aurelio Lopez came in to pitch for the Astros, Carter led off with a single, then Straw walked. Ray Knight attempted a sac bunt but Carter got nailed at third base. Backman then singled to right field putting the Mets ahead in what looked like the game winner. Not so fast, Houston came right back as Billy Hatcher blasted a HR off Jesse Orosco tying it again in a wild crazy scene at the Astrodome.

In the top of the 16th with a depleted bullpen, Lopez started the inning. Strawberry hit a leadoff double to center and was brought right home by Gary Carters single. Jeff Calhoun was brought in and threw a wild pitch and then walked Backman. Jesse Orosco got a rare plate appearance and wouldn’t ya know it, Calhoun threw another wild pitch scoring Knight. Orosco then bunted Backman to third, and Lenny Dykstra drove home what would be the all important winning run.

Davey Johnson stuck with his relief ace Jesse Orosco through another intense drama filled bottom of the 16th. Craig Reynolds struck out to start out the inning, then Davey Lopes drew a walk. Bill Doran singled, and then Billy Hatcher struck again with a single driving in Lopes. Denny Walling then grounded out for out number two. Glen Davis then singled bringing the score to within one. Next up was the dangerous Kevin Bass who kept fouling off Orosco’s curve balls.

Keith Hernandez visited the mound and told Jesse if he threw another curveball they were going to fight. He reared back struckout Bass and the Mets won the pennant. New York City had come to a stop the past few hours following the excitement of the game, and now it celebrated and went wild. They advanced to the World Series for the third time in their history to face the Boston Red Sox.