Remembering Mets History (1980) Pete Falcone Ties MLB Record Striking Out the First Six Batters of a Game
Tonight, an old Mets nemesis, "Lefty" Steve Carlton took on Brooklyn's own Pete Falcone.
The game would start out with Mets pitcher, Pete Falcone striking out the first six batters he faced. At the time he had tied a then MLB record, done four times, to start a game.
This set a Mets franchise record that stood for 34 years until 2014, when Jacob DeGrom struck out eight Marlins to start the game, tying a new MLB record.
Gary Maddox looking at a called third strike.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Falcone struck out that year's NL HR leader Mike Schmidt (48) to start the inning. He then got fanned slugger Greg Luzinski for his fifth straight strike out.
Then Falcone, tied the record by striking out catcher Bob Boone swinging, setting his mark with his sixth straight K to start the game.
Falcone was rolling along, until the weak hitting, reserve second baseman Luis Aguayo hit a two-run homer in the 5th inning. The two runs would be all the Phillies needed in the 2-1 win.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Mets Doug Flyn & Frank Tavares both collected Mets singles. Short time Met Jose Cardenal also drew a walk in between the hits, helping load the bases. Phils, Hall of Fame pitcher, Steve Carlton then walked Eliot Maddox bringing in the Mets only run. Lee Mazzilli grounded out to end the inning.
The Italian American pitcher, Pete Falcone, was a Brooklyn born kid. He was also a cousin of Mets long time coach, Joe Pignatano.
In 1975 Falcone came up with the Giants & was traded to the Cardinals for Ken Reitz the next year. In 1976 he won 12 games (12-16) then became both a starter & reliever the next season. By 1979 he was traded to the Mets for Tom Grieve & minor leaguer Kim Seaman.
In 1980, Falcone went 7-11 for the Mets, tied for second most wins on the staff. Falcone spent four years with the Mets, going 26-37 with a 3.91 ERA in 145 games 86 starts.