Remembering Mets History (2003) Jae Seo, David Weathers & Armando Benitez Combine For a One Hitter
Tonight, the Mets were back on the East coast, in beautiful South Florida, to play the Florida Marlins.
Marlins Trivia: At the time the Marlins were 34-38 four games under .500. In May, they had fired manager Jeff Torborg replacing him with veteran Jack McKeon.
Art Howe's Mets were right behind the Marlins at the time in fifth place (32-37). They would
finish at 66-95 having their worst season in nine years.
finish at 66-95 having their worst season in nine years.
Tonight's starting pitchers were the Mets Jae Seo (4-2) & the Marlins Carl Pavano (5-7) in front of 10,359 at Pro Player Stadium.
The Mets starter Jae Seo retired the first thirteen Marlins he faced easing thru the first four innings. In the top of the 5th, he began the inning striking out Mike Lowell, his third K of the night.
The Marlins Carl Pavano held the Mets scoreless thru the first six innings while giving up five hits along the way. In the top of the 7th, with one out, Jeromy Burnitz hit his 11th HR of the season, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the 9th, Carl Pavano came out to start the inning. Ty Wigginton led off hitting his 5th
HR of the season, making it a 2-0 Mets lead. After Roberto Alomar reached on an error, Marlin manager Jack McKeon removed Carl Pavano bringing in Armando Almanza.
Next in this crazy inning Almanza threw a wild pitch with Cliff Floyd at the plate. Floyd then hit a fly ball to Juan Pierre in center field & reached base when Pierre made an error on the play. Alomar went to third base.
Jose Reyes followed with an RBI sac fly & Roger Cedeno singled up the middle brining in Jeromy Burnitz with the Mets fifth run, 5-0.
In the top of the 9th inning, Armando Benitez was brought in to close it out. He got Alex Gonzalez to ground out to third base. Next Todd Hollandsworth flew out to right field for out number two. Then pinch hitter Andy Fox struck out to end the game.
With one out, Juan Encarnacion hit a line drive to center field that fell in for a base hit. His no hitter was gone, Seo just shrugged it off going about his business.
Juan Encarnacion attempted to steal second but was thrown out by catcher Jason Phillips. Seo struck out Derek Lee to end the inning.
Jae Seo would not give up any more Marlin hits, retiring the next six in a row getting to two outs in the 7th inning.
In the bottom of the 7th, Jae Seo got the first two outs on ground balls. Mets manager Art Howe then removed him after 6.2 shut out inning, allowing just the one hit, walking no one & striking out four.
David Weathers came on & got Ivan Rodriguez to ground out to third base ending the inning.
In the home 8th, Weathers retired the side in order, getting Mike Lowell to pop up, then got two ground outs to short stop from Encarnacion & Derek Lee.
HR of the season, making it a 2-0 Mets lead. After Roberto Alomar reached on an error, Marlin manager Jack McKeon removed Carl Pavano bringing in Armando Almanza.
Next in this crazy inning Almanza threw a wild pitch with Cliff Floyd at the plate. Floyd then hit a fly ball to Juan Pierre in center field & reached base when Pierre made an error on the play. Alomar went to third base.
Jeromy Burnitz was walked intentionally loading the bases for Jason Phillips. Phillips then singled to center field bringing in Alomar with the Mets third run.
Jose Reyes followed with an RBI sac fly & Roger Cedeno singled up the middle brining in Jeromy Burnitz with the Mets fifth run, 5-0.In the top of the 9th inning, Armando Benitez was brought in to close it out. He got Alex Gonzalez to ground out to third base. Next Todd Hollandsworth flew out to right field for out number two. Then pinch hitter Andy Fox struck out to end the game.
Mets Trivia: The three Mets pitchers combined to throw the 25th one hitter in Mets franchise history. It was also the club's second one hitter in the last three games.