Remembering Mets History (1984) Doc Gooden Strikes Out 14 Dodgers In a 2-1 Win with Mookie Wilson Throwing Out a Runner at Home to End the Game
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The young phenom not only had one of the games best blazing fastballs, but a curve so good, Mets Broadcaster; Ralph Kiner named it- "Lord Charles".
At this point in the season, Gooden had a 3-3 record with a 4.15 ERA in eight career starts. He had struck out 59 batters in 43 innings pitched & already had three games where he due digits in strike outs.
Looking back Gooden really came into the spotlight after this game.
Doctor K established himself as one of the top pitchers in the National League.
Shea Stadium was enjoying it's beast season for Mets fans in since the mid-seventies. The Mets were an exciting young ball club & were winning baseball games, more than they had in the past seven seasons. When the young Dwight Gooden pitched, he was electric, when he reached two strikes on a batter the fans would be on their feet cheering for the third strike.The "K Korner" was an area in the left field upper deck where fans would hang K cards with every Gooden strike out. The wave was also a new fan event that went round the stadium with some one standing up then sitting when their turn came round.
Shea Stadium was a party atmosphere.
In the top of the 1st, Gooden began the game getting Steve Sax to ground out. He then waked Ken Landreaux but struck out Pedro Guerrero & Franklin Stubbs to end the inning.
In the top of the 3rd, Gooden struck out the pitcher Rick Honeycutt & Steve Sax to start the inning, now having five strike outs on the day.
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In the top of the 7th, Gooden got Mike Scioscia for the second time then Terry Whitfield, making it the fourth time on the night he had struck out consecutive batters. The twelve strike outs were now a new season high.
Mets K Trivia: The fourteen strike outs tied a franchise record with Nolan Ryan for14 Ks in a game by a rookie pitcher. It was also the most strike outs in a game by a Mets pitcher since Tom Seaver (1974) a decade ago.
In the top of the 9th, Gooden surrendered a lead off HR to Pedro Guerrero & Davey Johnson rushed out to remove Gooden although he said it was a tough hook as he told his pitcher-
Then pinch hitter R.J. Reynolds doubled to center field, but Mookie Wilson threw a relay to cut off man Kelvin Chapman who fired home to Mike Fitzgerald nailing Morales at the plate to end the game with the exciting third out.
Multiple - Double Digit K Games: The Dodgers became the first team that year Gooden would have double digit strike out games against, he would have another later that year against the Dodgers as well. Doctor K would have two double digit strike out games against the Expos, Pirates & Cubs as well that season.
Gooden Trivia: Two starts earlier, on May 11th, Gooden had faced the Dodgers in Los Angeles & pitched a four hit complete game shut out striking out eleven.
In the top of the 2nd, after Mike Scioscia doubled Gooden struck out Terry Whitfield for his third K, then retired the next two batters.
In the bottom of the 2nd, the Mets George Foster put New York on the board with a lead off 430 foot HR into the left field bullpen making it 1-0. It was Foster's eighth HR of the season.
Hubie's Hit Streak: Hubie Brooks collected the first of two hits on the night, extending his hit streak to 19, the longest in the majors so far that season. It was also the longest hit streak in for the Mets since Lee Mazzilli's in 1979. Brooks would set a franchise record that year with a 23 game hit streak.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Mookie Wilson collected a two out double, Keith Hernandez followed with a base hit scoring Mookie making it 2-0, but Hernandez was thrown out trying to stretch it to second base.
In the top of the 4th Gooden added two more K's fanning Pedro Guerrero for the second time then Mike Scioscia. In the top of the 5th, he added a strike out for his eighth of the game.
In the top of the 6th, Gooden struck out Steve Sax to start the inning. After a fly out & walk to Pedro Guerrero he notched his tenth K of the night fanning Franklin Stubbs. It was the fourth time on the season he reached double digits in strikeouts in nine starts.
In the top of the 7th, Gooden got Mike Scioscia for the second time then Terry Whitfield, making it the fourth time on the night he had struck out consecutive batters. The twelve strike outs were now a new season high.In the top of the 8th, Doc began the inning striking out veteran Rick Monday for his 13th strike out of the night. He ended the inning striking out Ken Landreaux reaching 14 K's.
In the top of the 9th, Gooden surrendered a lead off HR to Pedro Guerrero & Davey Johnson rushed out to remove Gooden although he said it was a tough hook as he told his pitcher-
Quotes- Davey Johnson: " I know you have a lot left big guy, but I've got a guy who can save the game for you."
Gooden left the field with a 2-1 lead & a standing ovation from the Shea crowd. Jesse Orosco came on for the save. After getting the first two outs, pinch hitter Jose Morales singled.
Quotes- Davey Johnson: "He hit the cut off man perfect, Kelvin's throw was a one hopper, just a little off but good enough."
Quotes- Mookie Wilson: "I knew we had time, it just depended on how it kicked off the grass."
Keith Hernandez celebrated by spiking his glove off Mike Fitzgerald's back.
The 14 K's put the young Gooden in a tie for the league lead in strike outs with the Dodgers Fernando Valenzuela with 73. He now had an average of 12.9 strike outs per nine innings as well.
Trivia: Gooden would win the 1984 Rookie of the Year Award, leading the league in strikeouts (289) strike outs per nine innings (11.4) & WHIP (1.073). He would go 17-9 with a 2.60 ERA.