Remebering Mets History: Kevin Mitchell's Three RBI Walk Off Hit Game

Thursday August 14th 1986: In the first game of a twi-night double header, Davey Johnson's first place New York Mets (76-37) hosted Whitey Herzog's St. Louis Cardinals (55-58).

 The Mets were already leading the NL East second place Montreal Expos by 17 1/2 games, with the Cards treading to stay above .500.

 Starting Line Ups

	St. Louis Cardinals				New York Mets
1	Vince Coleman	CF		1	Mookie Wilson	CF
2	Ozzie Smith	SS		2	Kevin Mitchell	LF
3	Tom Herr	2B		3	Keith Hernandez	1B
4	Curt Ford	LF		4	Gary Carter	C
5	Terry Pendleton	3B		5	Darryl Strawberry	RF
6	John Morris	RF		6	Ray Knight	3B
7	Clint Hurdle	1B		7	Tim Teufel	2B
8	Mike LaValliere	C		8	Rafael Santana	SS
9	Tim Conroy	P		9	Ron Darling	P

The Cards got to Ron Darling first, as Terry Pendleton hit a solo HR in the 2nd inning for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Mets answered with a Ray Knight single, a Tim Teufel double & a Rafael Santana Fielders choice. It was 1-1. But in the 5th Darling walked two Cardinals& then a Vince Coleman base hit put St. Louis up 2-1.

In the 7th the Cards Tim Conroy was still on the mound holding the one run lead. With two outs Mookie Wilson doubled to centerfield. It was then, the man nicknamed "World" by Gary Carter because he could play so many positions, came o bat. Mitchell hit his 10th HR of the year, a two run shot putting the Mets ahead 3-2.

The Mets were leading into the top of the 9th, as Jesse Orosco took the mound in relief of Ron Darling. Whitey Herzog sent four pinch hitters to thee plate that inning, with Tito Landrum getting a base hit & Alan Nicely walking & Tom Lawless getting another hit. With the base loaded Vince Coleman then hit a ground ball to Ray Knight, Knight committed an error letting the go ahead run score.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Cards closer Todd Worrell came on to shut the door. But Rafael Santana lead off with a double, Wally Backman bunted but was out at first. Mookie Wilson singled but Santana was thrown out at the plate. Mookie advanced to second on the throw home.

This set the stage for Mitchell, he singled to center field bringing in Wilson with the walk off game winner. Mets win it 4-3. Mitchell had the second of his three, three RBI games on the year. His two hits got him over the .300 mark on the season as well.