Remembering Mets History (1989) Greg Jeffries Ties Club Record With Four Extra Base Hits In A Game
Tonight, they hosted their NL East Rivals; Whitey Herzog's St. Louis Cardinals (76-63) who were 1.5 games behind Chicago & two games ahead of the Mets.
23,354 came to Shea Stadium to see Frank Viola (10-16) go up against Ted Power (6-6).
It was an overall big night for Mets bats, 13 runs on 15 hits in a 13-1 win, but it was a personal huge night for Greg Jefferies. Jefferies tied a club record with four extra base hits on this night, four hits with two HRs, five RBIs & two runs scored.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, Jefferies batting leadoff, doubled to start his big night. The Mets left him stranded as Juan Samuel grounded out, then Ted Power struck out Howard Johnson & Darryl Strawberry.
In the home 3rd, Kevin Elster led off reaching on Terry Pendleton's error at third base. With one out Greg Jeffries hit a two run HR, his 5th of the year making it a 2-0 Mets lead.
After Juan Samuel flew out, Howard Johnson followed with a solo HR to make it 3-0 Mets. For HoJo it was his 33rd HR of the season amongst the best in the league.
Cards pitcher Ted Power would be taken out of the game & reliever Matt Kinzer came in for St. Louis.
In the home 4th, Kevin McReynolds doubled & Dave Magadan singled putting two on. Catcher Barry Lyons then doubled to left field bring in McReynolds for a 4-1 lead.
Greg Jefferies then collected his third extra base hit of the night, with a double to right field. Frank Viola would score on Terry Pendelton's second fielding error of the game which came on Juan Samuels ground ball, making it 7-0.
The Cardinals would make five errors in the game.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, with one out Dave Magadan singled & Barry Lyons collected his second double of the game putting two on.
Kevin Elster grounded out to short allowing, Magadan to score making it an 8-1 Mets lead. Pitcher Frank Viola collected his second hit of the game with a base hit to right.Franchise Record Four Extra Base Hit Game: Greg Jefferies then hit a three run HR off Bob Tewksbury for his second HR of the game making it 11-1 Mets. Jeffries tied a team record collecting four extra base hits in a game. This was his only multi-HR game in his five-year Mets career (465 games).
Trivia: On September 27th, Jefferies would make the final out in a game against the Phillies, then charge the mound to get at former Met teammate Roger McDowell who had made comments about Jefferies,
In the bottom of the 6th, Howard Johnson singled to right field to start the inning. With one out, Pinch hitter Lou Thorton reached on an error. Dave Magadan's sac fly scored HoJo with the 12th run.
In the bottom of the 8th Mets Greg Shipley & Mark Carreon collected base hits. Dave Magadan brought in another run when he grounded out to second base scoring Shipley.
1989 Mets Trivia: The Mets would score 13 or more runs three times that season, with a season high 15-11 win back over the Phillies at Philadelphia on June 16.
The Mets finished second to the Cubs that year, six games back, with the Cardinals finishing third a game behind the Mets.
Greg Jefferies would bat .258 with 12 HRs 28 doubles & 56 RBIs. The next year he would lead the NL in doubles with 40, hitting 15 HRs & 68 RBIs while batting .283. He spent five seasons with the Mets, coming up with huge expectations that never panned out.
Greg Jefferies would bat .258 with 12 HRs 28 doubles & 56 RBIs. The next year he would lead the NL in doubles with 40, hitting 15 HRs & 68 RBIs while batting .283. He spent five seasons with the Mets, coming up with huge expectations that never panned out.