Remembering Mets History (2000) NLDS Game #3: Benny Agbayani Hits a 13th Inning Walk Off HR
It all began with former Mets reliever, the great Tug McGraw throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. McGraw had been part of the Mets 1969 World Championship team & the 1973 NL Pennant winners. It was one of his last Mets appearances, as McGraw would pass away from brain cancer three years later.
A Shea Stadium crowd of 56,270 was pumped up for the first home post season game of the 2000 post season. centerfieldmaz was also in attendance in the Mezzanine section on the third base side, after a great tailgate in the old Shea parking lot.
Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent Rick Reed (11-5 / 4.11 ERA / 121 Ks) to the mound against the Giants Russ Ortiz (14-12 / 5.01 ERA / 167 Ks).
The game which began at 4:18 PM, would last five hours & twenty-two minutes, in an epic 13 inning match up. Up to that point in time, it was the longest NLDS game ever played.
After a scoreless 1st inning, the Giants put two base runners on with one out in the top of the 2nd inning. Then Rick Reed struck out Rich Aurilia & Bobby Estalella to end the inning.
Rick Reed would collect four strike outs thru the first three innings, giving up two hits & a walk in that time.
In the top of the 4th inning, Ellis Burks & J.T. Snow both singled. After Rich Aurilia popped up in four territory, Bobby Estalella & Marvin Benard both contributed with RBI singles, giving San Francisco a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Mike Bordick drew a leadoff walk. Pinch hitter, Daryl Hamilton dropped a base hit to short right field. Then, Timo Perez dropped a base hit into left field scoring Bordick with the Mets first run.
Timo Trivia: Timo Perez would tie Benny Agbayani for an NLDS leading five hits. Perez had three RBIs in the series, second to Edgardo Alfonzo’s five RBIs.
Mets starter Rick Reed went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out seven.
The Mets bullpen of Dennis Cook & Turk Wendell shut down the Giants over the next two innings. In the bottom of the 7th, Turk Wendell firing up the crowd as he stuck out Jeff Kent to end the inning. In the top of the 8th, after a leadoff walk he struck out J.T. Snow & Rich Aurilia, then got Estella to ground out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 8th, Doug Henry hit Mike Bordick with a pitch to start out the inning. Pinch hitter, Lenny Harris came up & grounded into a force play. After Timo Perez popped up for the second out, Giants manager Dusty Baker brought in reliever Rob Nen.
After Lenny Harris then stole second base, Edgardo Alfonzo doubled to left field scoring Harris, tying the game up at two, as the Shea Stadium crowd went wild.
Lenny Harris Trivia: Since coming over from Arizona Harris had hit .304 with the Mets & had a dozen pinch hits.
In the top of the 9th inning, John Franco, who had saved Game #2 for the Mets in San Francisco came on to pitch.
In the bottom of the 9th the Giants Rob Nen retired Robin Ventura & got Benny Agbayani looking at a third strike. Then Jay Payton singled & stole second. Todd Zeile walked but Mike Bordick struck out to end the inning.
Extra Innings: Over the next five innings, Mets relievers, John Franco, Armando Benitez & Rick White struck out eight batters, allowing no runs on four hits.
The game became a real nail bitter, as it went later into the extra innings. The crowd remained on their feet for the entire rest of the game. The Giants held the Mets down as well.
In the top of the 10th, Armando Benitez came on to pitch for New York. Jeff Kent led off with a base hit. With one out J.T. Snow was walked intentionally. Benitez got two fly ball outs to end the inning. In the top of the 11th, Benitez fired up the Shea crowd by striking out the side.
In the bottom of the 11th, Mike Piazza led off with a base hit, then Joe McEwing was brought in to pinch run for him.
Robin Ventura followed with a base hit. Giants' pitcher Felix Rodriguez got Benny Agbayani to fly out, then struck out Jay Payton. Todd Zeile drew a walk to load the bases. But pinch hitter Todd Pratt flew out to end the threat.
In the top of the 12th, Rick White walked two batters but was able to get out of the inning.
In the top of the 13th, the Giants threatened again, collecting a pair of base hits. But Rick White got Barry Bonds to pop up to second base to end the inning as the fans cheered, play continued.
In the bottom of the 13th inning, Aaron Fultz came on to pitch. He retired Robin Ventura with the first out. Benny Agbayani stepped in & connected blasting a walk off game winning HR over the left field wall.
Shea Stadium erupted with a deafening roar, in a classic post season moment. The Mets won the game 3-2, taking two games to one lead in the series. They now just needed one more win to advance to the NLCS.
Mets Trivia: In the 2000 postseason, Bobby Valentine's man Benny Agbayani would bat .320 with 16 hits 5 doubles, 10 walks & 6 RBIs with a .433 on base % & .913 OPS. Benny would hit safely in 12 straight 2000 post season games.
Mets Trivia: In the 2000 postseason, Bobby Valentine's man Benny Agbayani would bat .320 with 16 hits 5 doubles, 10 walks & 6 RBIs with a .433 on base % & .913 OPS. Benny would hit safely in 12 straight 2000 post season games.
The Giants would go through six pitchers as well. Starter Russ Ortiz went into the 6th, allowing one run on just two hits, with four K's & four walks. The bullpen took over, Alan Embree (0.2 innings) Dog Henry (1.2 innings one run allowed), Rob Nen 1.1 innings, Felix Rodriguez (two innings) & the losing pitcher of record Aaron Fultz.
