Remembering Mets History (1999): Rick Reed's Shut Out Guarantee's The Mets of A Wild Card Tie

Saturday October 2nd, 1999: Bobby Valentine's New York Mets (94-66) hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates (78-81) in front of 36,878 at Shea Stadium.

It was a big game for an exciting team. A Mets win would at guarantee them of at least a tie in the NL Wild Card. That would happen as they were destined to face off in Cincinnati for the Wild Card tie breaking game.

But they had o win this one first with Rick Reed (10-5) taking the mound against Francisco Cordova (8-9)

Starting Lineups

Pirates

1	Al Martin	LF
2	Abraham Nunez	SS
3	Brant Brown	RF
4	Kevin Young	1B
5	Warren Morris	2B
6	Aramis Ramirez	3B
7	Chad Hermansen	CF
8	Keith Osik	C
9	Francisco Cordova	P

 

Mets

1	Rickey Henderson	LF
2	Edgardo Alfonzo	2B
3	John Olerud	1B
4	Mike Piazza	C
5	Robin Ventura	3B
6	Darryl Hamilton	CF
7	Roger Cedeno	RF
8	Rey Ordonez	SS
9	Rick Reed	P

The Mets pitcher Rick Reed was spectacular, pitching a three hit complete game shut out. He struck out 12 Pirates along the way & walked no one. It was certainly one of the best outings of his career, and his best of 1999, his only shut out, complete game & the 12 Ks, a season best.

The Mets loaded the bases in the 2nd but couldn't capitalize. In the 6th, they did. John Olerud led off with a walk. & Mike Piazza reached on an error.

Robin Ventura then doubled, bringing in his 119th run of the year. Piazza would score on a Rey Ordonez line out which led to another error.

In the 8th, Roger Cedeno singled & Ordonez doubled. Rick Reed himself, helped his cause with a base hit bring in in two runs. Matt Franco then drew a pinch hit walk. Olerud singled in the Mets 5th run & Mike Piazza sealed it with a two run HR, his 40th of the season RBIs 123 & 124 on the year. The Mets went on to the 7-0 win.