Remembering Mets History (1970) Nolan Ryan Ks 13 In A Three Hit Shut Out
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Tuesday August 4th, 1970: Gil Hodges reigning World Champion Mets (57-49) were in second place one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. 42,786 fans came out for an afternoon summer matinee at Shea.Today the Mets hosted legendary manager Leo Durocher's third place Chicago Cubs (55-52). During the 1969 Championship season, the Mets & Cubs became heavy rivals.
The Mets fire ball throwing, Nolan Ryan (5-6) got the start against the Cubs Joe Decker (2-5). Ryan had lost three of his last four decisions & was still having control problems at this point in his career. Although Ryan put up big strike out numbers & had some great outings in his Mets career, his control problem drove manager Gil Hodges crazy.
In the top of the 5th, Nolan started the inning striking out Randy Hundley & the pitcher Joe Decker for the second time each. In the top of the 6th, Billy Williams reached on a one out double then Ryan ended the inning striking out Ron Santo & Jim Hickman to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 6th, Cleon Jones led off with a walk & Dave Marshall drove in his third run of the game with his second double on the afternoon as well.
In the top of the 8th, Ryan walked Don Kessinger to start out the inning. Glenn Beckert grounded out & two pop flies ended that inning.
The Mets fire ball throwing, Nolan Ryan (5-6) got the start against the Cubs Joe Decker (2-5). Ryan had lost three of his last four decisions & was still having control problems at this point in his career. Although Ryan put up big strike out numbers & had some great outings in his Mets career, his control problem drove manager Gil Hodges crazy.
In the top of the 1st inning, Nolan Ryan recorded three ground ball outs.
In the bottom of the 1st, Bud Harrelson reached on a one out single & stole second base for his 19th steal of the season. With two outs, Art Shamsky reached on an infield single as Harrelson advanced to third. Short time Met, Dave Marshall then doubled to right field bringing in both Harrelson & Shamsky giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the 2nd, Nolan Ryan issued a walk & wild pitch but struck out Ron Santo, Joe Pepitone & Johnny Callison, for his first three K's of the game.
In the top of the 3rd inning, he issued his second walk but struck out Randy Hundley & Joe Decker to reach five strike outs.
In the top of the 4th, he gave up his third walk, then struck out former Met Jim Hickman for his sixth K. Joe Pepitone recorded the Cubs first hit then Ryan got a fly ball out from Johnny Callison to end the inning.
Nolan Ryan Trivia: Ryan reached double figures in strike outs for the third time this season, as he would have five double digits strike out games that season. In his amazing career the all-time strikeout leader had 215 double digit strike out games.
Dave Marshall Trivia: In 1970 Dave Marshall had come over to the Mets along with Ray Sadecki in a deal with the Giants that sent Jim Gosger & Bobby Heise to San Francisco. Marshall spent parts of three seasons with the Mets playing in 64 games hitting .243 with 13 HRs & 61 RBIs. In 1970, Marshall had eight multi-RBI games for the Mets driving in three or more runs four times.
In the top of the 7th, Ryan got Joe Pepitone again & then struck out pinch hitter Willie Smith for his 12th K of the afternoon.
In the bottom of the 7th Tommie Agee led off with a base hit then stole his team leading 24th base. Bud Harrelson collected his second hit of the game advancing Agee who scored on Cleon Jones' ground ball out.
In the 9th, Ryan fanned Pepitone for the third time, getting to 13 strike outs.
Nolan Ryan pitched the complete game three-hit shutout striking out 13 & walking five. Nolan had three games that season where he struck out 13 or more batters with a season high 15 Ks in a shut out over the Phillies in April.
In his next start, Ryan would strike out another ten batters in a loss at Pittsburgh. On September 9th, he would match the 13 strike outs in a 3-2 loss to the Phillies.