Remembering Mets History (2000): NLDS Game #3: Benny Agbayani's 13th Inning Walk Off HR

Saturday October 7th, 2000 NLDS Game #3- Shea Stadium, New York: It was a classic fall afternoon, perfect for an epic playoff game.

I 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. He would pass away from brain cancer just three years later. 

The crowd of 56,270 was pumped up for the first home playoff game of the 2000 post season. Centerfieldmaz was there in the Mezzanine section after a great tailgate in the old Shea Stadium parking lot.

Bobby Valentine sent Rick Reed (11-5 / 4.11 ERA / 121 Ks) to the mound against Russ Ortiz ( 14-12 / 5.01 ERA / 167 Ks).


The game began at 4:18 PM & would last five hours & twenty-two minutes, in an epic 13 inning
match up. It was the longest NLDS game ever to be played.

The Mets would go through six pitchers on this afternoon / evening. The starter, Rick Reed went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out seven.

The Mets Relievers were fantastic, pitching seven scoreless innings. Dennis Cook (0.2 innings) Turk Wendell (1.1 innings) John Franco (a scoreless 9th) Armando Benitez (two scoreless innings) & Rick White (two scoreless innings the 12 & 13th). 

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. Then it was on to the bullpen of Alan Embree, Dog Henry, Rob Nen, Felix Rodriguez & Aaron Fultz. 

The Giants struck first, in the 4th inning Ellis Burks & JT Snow both singled. Bobby Estalella & Mark Benard both contributed with RBI singles, making it 2-0 Giants.


In the Mets 6th inning, Mike Bordick drew a leadoff walk. Pinch hitter, Daryl Hamilton dropped a base hit to short right field. Then the hot rookie Timo Perez dropped a base hit into left field scoring the first Mets run. 

Trivia: Timo Perez would tie Benny Agbayani for an NLDS leading five hits. Perez had three
RBIs in the series, second to Eduardo Alfonzo’s five RBIs.


In the home 8th, Doug Henry hit Mike Bordick with a pitch to start out the inning. Lenny Harris came in to pinch hit& grounded into a force play. After Timo Perez popped up for the second out, Dusty Baker brought in reliever Rob Nen. 

Lenny Harris then stole second base. Edgardo Alfonzo then doubled to left field tying the game at two, as Shea Stadium went crazy.

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.

In the top of the 9th inning, The Giants Ramon Martinez led off with a base hit. But John Franco then retired the next three Giants, striking out Barry Bonds to end the inning.

It wasn’t until the bottom of 
the 13th inning when Benny Agbayani connected off of pitcher; Aaron Fultz, blasting a walk off, game winning HR over the left field wall. 

Shea Stadium erupted with a deafening roar, in the classic post season moment. The Mets took two games to one lead & needed just one more win to advance to the NLCS.

Bobby Valentines man Benny Agbayani would have 16 hits and six RBIs in the 2000 post season; he had hit .289 during the season with 15 HRs & 60 RBIs.










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