Remembering Mets History (2000): NLCS Game #1: Mets Take Opener 7-2

Wednesday, October 11th, 2000- NLCS Game #1- Busch Stadium, St. Louis Missouri 

52,255 fans all donning red packed Busch Stadium in St. Louis to see Tony Larussa’s Cardinals (95-67) take on Bobby Valentines New York Mets (94-68) in Game One of the 2000 NLCS. 

The starting pitchers were Mike Hampton (15-10 / 3.14 ERA / 151 Ks) for New York against St. Louis' Darryl Kile (20-9 / 3.91 ERA / 192 Ks).

In the top of the 1st, the Mets struck first, the team's newest hero, leadoff man Timo Perez, who seemed like he had come out of nowhere was filling in for an injured Derek Bell. Perez who had hit .294 in the NLDS (5-17) with three RBI's & two runs scored, doubled to right.

Darryl Kile then threw a wild pitch, advancing Perez, he then walked Edgardo Alfonzo to put two on for Mike Piazza. 

The Mets MVP Piazza, then doubled to left field scoring Perez with the first run of the series. Alfonzo moved to third on Piazza’s double and scored on Robin Ventura’s sac fly. Quickly it was 2-0 Mets. 

Mike Hampton got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st inning, getting Carlos Hernandez to ground out to second base to end the inning.

In the top of the 5th, Mike Hampton who was always a good hitting pitch got an infield hit. He moved to second base on a ground out by Timo Perez. 

He then scored on Edgardo Alfonzo's RBI single, making it 3-0 Mets.

Mike Hampton & Darryl Kile both went until the 8th inning, with Hampton holding down the shut out. In seven innings he allowed six hits, walked three & struck out four. 

John Franco pitched a scoreless 8th inning, allowing a base hit to Carlos Hernandez.

In the top of the 9th inning, Todd Zeile hit his first HR of the post season, a solo shit & the first of his eight RBI's in the series. 

After Benny Agbayani singled, Jay Payton hit a two run HR, giving the Mets a 6-0 lead.

Armando Benitez closed it out in the 9th, but not before giving up two runs. Mets took Game #1 with a 6-2 win on the road.

Mike Hampton got his first post season win and would eventually be the NLCS MVP.