Remembering Mets History (1991) David Cone Ties MLB Record with 19 Strike Outs as Hojo Finishes Season Leading NL in HRs & RBIs
During the last week of the season, the team fired manager Bud Harrelson & replaced him with interim manager, Met coach Mike Cubbage. It was the teams worst finish in nine years, dating back to 1983 when they last finished under .500 at 68-94.
The year also saw the team trade 1986 World Champion pitchers, Ron Darling & Bob Ojeda.The Mets were closing out the year at Philadelphia, in Veterans Stadium. Jim Fregosi's Phillies had finished a game better than the Mets in third place at 78-84, twenty games back of Pittsburgh. Jim Fregosi sent Andy Ashby (1-4) to the mound to face New York's David Cone (13-14).
1991 had been Cone's worst win / loss year up to that point in his career, dating back to his rookie season when he was 5-6. He came into this game at 13-14 trying to end the season at .500.
In the top of the 1st, the Mets gave David Cone run support in their first at bat. Daryl Boston led off with his fourth triple of the season. He was brought home by Keith Miller's double. Greg Jefferies & Chris Donnel's added RBI singles to make it a 3-0 Mets lead. In the Phillies 1st, Cone started the game striking out Kim Batiste then walked Mickey Morandini. Cone then struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Dave Hollins led off with a double, then Cone struck out the next three batters. After two innings, his first six outs were all strike outs.
In the top of the 3rd inning, with two outs, Kevin McReynolds singled & advanced on a wild pitch. Gregg Jefferies then singled driving in his 62nd run of the year, making it 4-0 Mets.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Cone struck out Ken Batiste for the second time reaching seven K's. In the bottom of the 4th, Cone struck out the side for the second time, fanning Wes Chamberlin, Dale Murphy & Dave Hollins. He now had ten strike outs through four innings.
In the top of the 5th, Keith Miller added a solo HR, just his second of the year making it 5-0 Mets.
In the bottom of the 6th, Cone struck out the first two batters, then gave up a base hit to Mickey Morandini just the second Phillie hit of the game. Cone then struck out Wes Chamberlin for his 15th strike out on the day.
In the top of the 7th, Cone led off with a walk & advanced on a wild pitch. Keith Miller then doubled into center field, as Cone tried to score he was thrown out at home by Braulio Castillo. Howard Johnson then collected an infield base hit scoring Miller with the Mets sixth run.
In the bottom of the 7th, Cone did not strike anyone out, going into the 8th inning with 15 strikeouts. He quickly struck out center fielder Braulio Castillo for the second time on the night. Cone also struck out catcher Doug Lindsey, reaching 17 strike outs on the day.
In the top of the 9th, Daryl Boston would add a solo HR, his fourth HR of the year to make it 7-0.
Record Tying Strike Out: With one out, the next batter Mickey Morandini got to a full count. Cone then struck him out with catcher Charlie O'Brien dropping the ball then throwing out Morandini on the throw to first base to officially record the out.
The 19 strike outs tied Tom Seaver's MLB & franchise record set in April of 1970 in a shut out over the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium, 21 years earlier. Kerry Wood, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson & Max Scherzer would later fan 20 batters in a game.
Cone went on to the victory, with his second shutout of the season, this a complete game three hitter. He reached double figures in strike outs for the fifth time on the year with his career high 19.
He won his second straight NL strike out title with 241 for the season. He was to finish with his third straight 14-win season (14-14) pitching 200 while posting a 3.29 ERA.