Hodges Mets took the field in excitement knowing that a win on this evening would assure them of at least a tie for first place in the NL East.
32,364 fans came to Shea as The Mets' Jim McAndrew (6-7) went up against Hall of Famer Bob Gibson (18-12). The 1968 MVP & Cy Young Winner Gibson, was two wins away from his fourth twenty win season in five years.
Starting Lineups:
1 | Lou Brock | LF |
2 | Curt Flood | CF |
3 | Vada Pinson | RF |
4 | Joe Torre | 1B |
5 | Tim McCarver | C |
6 | Mike Shannon | 3B |
7 | Julian Javier | 2B |
8 | Dal Maxvill | SS |
9 | Bob Gibson | P |
1 | Tommie Agee | CF |
2 | Wayne Garrett | 3B |
3 | Art Shamsky | LF |
4 | Ken Boswell | 2B |
5 | Ed Kranepool | 1B |
6 | Ron Swoboda | RF |
7 | Jerry Grote | C |
8 | Bud Harrelson | SS |
9 | Jim McAndrew | P |
The pesky Harrelson's offensive numbers never showed how valuable he was to the team, scrapping for hits, runs or stealing bases.
Tonight's game was another example of his value to the club besides just his All Star defense.
In the 8th, the Mets tied it as Tommie Agee singled to left & sacrificed over by Wayne Garrett. Art Shamsky then singled bringing in Agee.
Bob Gibson pitched into the 11th inning, scattering ten hits along the way, striking out five & walking three. Gibson was already an 18 game winner at that point, just coming off his fantastic 1968 Cy Young / MVP season the year before. That year he was 22-9 with league leading 13 shut outs, 268 Ks & a 1.12 ERA.
In the home 11th, after Ed Kranepool flew out to left field, Ron Swoboda & Jerry Grote both singled for the Mets. Bud Harrelson stepped in & poked a single to left field, scoring Swoboda with the walk off winning run.
The Amazing Mets now had a six game lead & were guaranteed at least a tie in the NL East. Mets manager Gil Hodges said "they are confident but not over confident".
Quotes- Coach Yogi Berra: "No one else in baseball is as well set up for a short series as we are. How would you like to meet Seaver & Koosman every fourth day? Ryan, McAndrew & Cardwell can do the job & our bullpen is about as good as you can get" This team is really amazing, the way it stays loose." Everyone pitches in, it seems there's a new hero every day".
The Amazing Mets now had a six game lead & were guaranteed at least a tie in the NL East. Mets manager Gil Hodges said "they are confident but not over confident".
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