Remembering Mets History (2000) NLDS Game #2: Mets Even Series with the Giants
Ellis Burks three run HR led the way for the Giants, along with RBI hits from Barry Bonds & Jeff Kent. The Mets only gathered five hits in the game with the lone run driven in on Jay Payton's sac fly.
After a scoreless 1st inning, the Mets went on the board first the next inning.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Jeff Kent singled & stole second. Ellis Burks then doubled scoring Kent
putting the Giants on the board, as it was a 2-1 Mets lead.
Shawn Estes was removed from the game after getting inured running the bases in the third inning. He allowed two runs on three hits, three walks & three strike outs. Giant's Manager Dusty Baker brought in Kirk Rueter who pitched 4.1 scoreless innings & then Doug Henry who gave the Giants' 0.2 scoreless innings.
In the bottom of the 9th, Al Leiter started the inning but gave up a leadoff double to Barry Bonds. Mets manager Bobby Valentine removed Leiter as the Mets were still holding a three-run lead.
In the top of the 10th inning, Giants reliever Felix Rodriguez retired Todd Zeile & Robin Ventura. Then with two outs, pinch hitter Daryl Hamilton doubled to center field. The versatile Hamilton had batted .276 in a utility role during the regular season.
The veteran John Franco had primarily become a setup man to Benitez that season. Franco
retired pinch hitter Marvin Bernard who attempted a reach on a bunt hit. Bill Mueller then was retired on a bouncer to Mike Bordick at short.
The Mets regrouped for Game #2 as Manager Bobby Valentine sent Al Leiter (16-8 / 3.20 ERA) to the mound to face the Giants Sean Estes (15-6 / 4.26 ERA). A crowd of 40,430 fans entered Pac Bell Park for the 8:07 Eastern time for the big prime time match up.
In the top of the 2nd, the Mets got some help from Shawn Estes as he hit Robin Ventura with a pitch & then walked Benny Agbayani. After retiring Jay Payton, Estes walked Mike Bordick to load the bases.
Mets manager Bobby Valentine put on a squeeze play. Al Leiter dropped a bunt, but Robin Ventura was put out at home.
In stepped the hot hitting Mets outfielder, September call-up Timo Perez. Perez had finished out the regular season collecting eight hits in his last six games. He continued his hot streak, as he singled to center filed, bringing in Jay Payton & Mike Bordick with the first two Mets runs.
putting the Giants on the board, as it was a 2-1 Mets lead.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Al Leiter walked Sean Estes & gave up a one out infield hit to Bill Mueller. But from there Leiter held the Giants hitless thru the next five innings.
In the bottom of the 8th, Calvin Murray singled with one out. But Leiter quickly got Bill Mueller to ground into an inning ending double play, Mike Bordick to Todd Zeile.
In the top of the 9th inning, Felix Rodriguez came on to pitch for San Francisco. After getting the first two outs, Timo Perez collected his third hit of the night with a base hit to left field.
Next, Edgardo Alfonzo blasted a two run HR over Barry Bonds head in left center field, giving the Mets a 4-1 lead. It was his fourth career post season HR dating back to last season.
In the bottom of the 9th, Al Leiter started the inning but gave up a leadoff double to Barry Bonds. Mets manager Bobby Valentine removed Leiter as the Mets were still holding a three-run lead.
Leiter pitched eight innings allowing two runs on five hits, walking three & striking out six.
Once again, the unreliable Armando Benitez came in & the drama soon began. First, Jeff Kent singled thru the hole between short & third base. Bonds remained at second base, now there were two on.
Benitez then served up a three run HR to J.T. Snow, tying the game 4-4 to the delight of the Bay area fans.
Armando Benitez was able to get the next two outs, but the damage was done, it was a whole new ball game going to extra innings.
Jay Payton then stepped in, driving a single to center field scoring Hamilton with what turned out to be the games winning run as the Mets took a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the 10th, Armando Benitez gave up a leadoff single to pinch hitter Armando Rios. Mets manager Bobby Valentine immediately came out & yanked him, bringing in John Franco.
retired pinch hitter Marvin Bernard who attempted a reach on a bunt hit. Bill Mueller then was retired on a bouncer to Mike Bordick at short.
The big show down came as slugger Barry Bonds stepped up to the plate. Barry Bonds had hit 34 HRs in 102 games played that season. In a thrilling at bat, Franco struck out Bonds looking at a third strike to end the game.
The Mets won the game 5-4 & went back to New York tied at one game each in the series.
