Remembering Mets History: (1991) Mets Pitchers Throw Three One Hitters In September

Tuesday September 10th 1991: Bud Harrelson's fourth place Mets (66-72) were hosting Tom Runnells last place Montreal Expos (59-78) in front of just under 10,000 at Shea Stadium.  The Mets sent Pete Shourek (2-3) to the mound against Ron Gardner (8-9).

Shourek had been a Mets second round pick in 1988 & suffered through some injuries. In 1991 he was in his rookie season, appearing as both a starter & reliever. Tonight would be his biggest career game with the Mets.

In the first four innings, Shourek quietly set the Expos down in order each time. In the 5th he got the first two outs & then walked Andres Galarraga. Next left fielder; Ken Williams singled to left field. The no hitter was broken up & was looked at lightly at that time. But as the game rolled along Shourek did not give up another hit, that one hit spoiled yet another Mets pitcher's bid at a no hitter.
Pete Shourek pitched the 18th one hitter in Mets history. It was the first of three Mets pitchers would have that month.

Shourek walked two that night & struck out seven. At the plate he even drove in two runs with a bases loaded double in the 7th inning. That night Howard Johnson & Mackey Sasser both hit  a three run HRs to support Shourek in the 9-0 Mets win.

Saturday September 14th, 1991: Just four days after Shourek's one hitter, David Cone went out to the mound for the Mets & pitched another, helped out by Jeff Innis. Bud Barrelson's Mets were in St. Louis taking on Joe Torre's second place Cardinals in front of 31,583 on a hot St. Louis afternoon.

It may not have been the prettiest one hitter in Mets history but it was the 19th career one hitter that Mets pitchers have thrown.  Cone walked Ozze Smith in the 1st & Todd Zeile in the 4th, but did not give up any hits. In the 5th he had a very shaky inning, walking Milt Thompson & Geronimo Pena.

He threw a wild pitch, allowed a stolen base & gave up his only hit of the day, a single to Ray Lankford. The single brought in two runs putting Cone & the Mets down 2-0.

The Mets were only able to come up with one run, a Kevin McReynolds ground out off of Lee Smith. Omar Oliveras held the Mets to just five hits over eight innings, earning his 9th win of the year (9-5).

Friday September 20th, 1991: Cone's next start came against the Cardinals at Shea Stadium, a week later. His opponent tonight was Rheal Cormeir who also would pitch a fine game. Cormeir would allow just one run on six hits, he held the Mets down until the 6th inning. Kevin Elster walked, reached second on a balk & third on an error. Mark Carreon then singled bringing in the only run of the game.

Cone was on tonight, he retired the Cards in order until the 5th inning when he walked Milt Thompson, the only walk he would issue on the night. Cone took a no hitter into the 8th inning, exciting the  15,683 fans in attendance. The no hit bid was spoiled as Felix Jose doubled to deep left center field . The crowd stood up & cheered Cone in another valiant effort.

He finished out the game with eleven strike outs, pitching the 20th one hitter on Mets history. That year he led the NL strike outs for the second straight year (241)going 14-14 with a 3.29 ERA.