Remembering Mets History: (1970) Nolan Ryan Ks 13 In A Three Hit Shut Out

Tuesday August 4th 1970:Gil Hodges reigning World Champion New York Mets (57-49) were in second place one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates, as they hosted Leo Durocher's Chicago Cubs (55-52) who were two games behind the Mets in third place.

The Cubs sent Joe Decker (2-5) to the mound against the young fire ball throwing; Nolan Ryan.

Even in the early stages of Ryan's career, in which he spent with the Mets, there were some fine Hall of Fame moments, this day was one of them.

Starting Lineups

	Chicago Cubs				New York Mets
1	Don Kessinger	SS		1	Tommie Agee	CF
2	Glenn Beckert	2B		2	Bud Harrelson	SS
3	Billy Williams	LF		3	Cleon Jones	LF
4	Ron Santo	3B		4	Art Shamsky	1B
5	Jim Hickman	1B		5	Dave Marshall	RF
6	Joe Pepitone	CF		6	Wayne Garrett	2B
7	Johnny Callison	RF		7	Joe Foy	3B
8	Randy Hundley	C		8	Jerry Grote	C
9	Joe Decker	P		9	Nolan Ryan	P

After a quiet 1st inning, Ryan struck out the side in the 2nd inning & then the first two batters of the 3rd inning. He would come up with a pair of strike outs in the 5th & 6th innings as well. 

Ryan rolled along with a season high 13 strike outs on this day, as he shut out the Cubs out on a three hitter & walked five. The only hits were to Joe Pepitone, Billy Williams & Johnny Callison.

His run support came mostly from a new Mets player that year; outfielder Dave Marshall. Marshall had two doubles on the day driving in three runs.

In the bottom of the 1st, Bud Harrelson singled, stole second & went to third on Art Shamsky's base hit. Marshall doubled driving in Harrelson. Later in the 6th inning, Cleon Jones walked & came in on Marshall's second double of the day.

In the 7th Tommie Agee singled & stole second. He got to third & then scored on Jones' ground out, completing the 4-0 win.

In Ryan's next start he would take a loss at Pittsburgh but strike out another ten batters. He would match his season high of 13 strike outs on September 9th in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies.