Remembering Mets History: (1973) Tug McGraw Saves A Jon Matlack Win As Mets Move Within 2 1/2 Games of 1st Place

Wednesday September 12th, 1973: As the surging New York Mets were making their way to the N.L. Eastern title, tonight was another big game. Yogi Berra's Mets (70-75) moved within 2 1/2 games of first place as they went down the New Jersey Turnpike to Philadelphia, to take on Danny Ozark's last place Phillies (65-80).

Starting Lineups

	New York Mets				Philadelphia Phillies
1	Wayne Garrett	3B		1	Billy Grabarkewitz	2B
2	Felix Millan	2B		2	Mike Anderson	RF
3	Rusty Staub	RF		3	Bill Robinson	CF
4	John Milner	1B		4	Greg Luzinski	LF
5	Cleon Jones	LF		5	Bob Boone	C
6	Dave Schneck	CF		6	Mike Schmidt	3B
7	Jerry Grote	C		7	Tom Hutton	1B
8	Bud Harrelson	SS		8	Larry Bowa	SS
9	Jon Matlack	P		9	Wayne Twitchell	P

Yogi Berra had his left hander Jon Matlack take the mound, Matlack had won five of his last eight games & was in the midst of a personal four game September win streak.

The Phillies went ahead as future Mets hitting instructor Bill Robinson doubled in a run the 2nd inning. In the Mets third inning, Wayne Garrett hit his 13th HR of the year a solo shot to lead off the inning.

The score remained tied until the 6th inning when John Milner hit his 22nd HR of the year. The Mets sophomore slugger was the team leader in HRs.

In the 8th after Rusty Staub had doubled, Milner had an infield single, a throwing error caused the slow footed Staub to score the Mets third run, 3-1 New York.

After Mike Anderson hit a solo HR off Matlack, Manager Berra went to his ace out of the bullpen, leading fireman Tug McGraw. McGraw allowed two singles but ended the inning striking out a young Mike Schmidt & Tommy Hutton.

In the 9th he struck out Larry Bowa, got pinch hitter Terry Harmon to fly out & then struck out Billy Gra barkewitz to end the end with another Mets win. The win was Matlack's 13th 913-15) & the save was McGraw's 19th. The win was the Mets 15th in their last 22 games.