Remembering Mets History (1971) Jerry Grote Hits A Walk Off HR
On Saturday they opened up a series with these Reds, winning the game in the bottom of the 11th inning. After loading the bases on singles from Donn Clendenon & Ken Singleton, pitcher Wayne Granger intentionally walked Ken Boswell. Then Granger threw a wild pitch to Jerry Grote allowing Clendenon to score the games winning run.
On this Easter Sunday, 22,005 fans came out to Shea Stadium, as the Mets hosted the reigning NL Champion, Cincinnati Reds. This was the first group of the 1970's Reds known as "the Big Red Machine".
As for Reds pitcher, Greg Garrett, he walked seven batters on the day but still was able to hold the Mets scoreless.
In the bottom of the 7th. Clay Carroll came on to pitch for the Reds, he got them to the 10th inning. Carroll one of the premiere relivers of the early 1970's walked three but didn't allow a run.
In the bottom of the 10th, the Mets got a two out base hit from Ken Singleton & then Wayne Granger walked Bob Aspromonte. But Ken Boswell grounded out to end the inning.
On this Easter Sunday, 22,005 fans came out to Shea Stadium, as the Mets hosted the reigning NL Champion, Cincinnati Reds. This was the first group of the 1970's Reds known as "the Big Red Machine".The cast featured the cast of Johnny Bench, Pete Rose & Tony Perez along with slugger Lee May (not in today's lineup) & youngster Bernie Carbo.
Tom Seaver took the mound for the Mets, making his second start of the year. The Red Sparky Anderson sent Greg Garrett to the hill for the Reds.
In the top of the 1st, Seaver got Pete Rose to ground out to Bud Harrelson at short. After walking Bernie Carbo, he struck out Tony Perez & got Johnny Bench to fly out.
In the bottom of the 1st, Bud Harrelson drew a walk & Cleon Jones singled, but Donn Clendenon grounded int a double play to end the inning.
In the 3rd inning, Seaver started the inning striking out Woody Woodward. Then the pitcher Greg Garrett & Pete Rose both singled. But Seaver would bear down & strike out Bernie Carbo & Tony Perez to end the threat.
In the top of the 5th, after Woody Woodward singled & stole second with one out, Seaver struck out Greg Garrett & Pete Rose to end the inning.
In the top of the 5th, after Woody Woodward singled & stole second with one out, Seaver struck out Greg Garrett & Pete Rose to end the inning.
In the top of the 6th & 7th innings, Seaver gave up lead off hits, but the Reds couldn't score. Seaver then retired seven in a row to get to the 10th inning holding the Red's scoreless. Over the nine innings he struck out ten batters, walked three & allowed five hits. That season Tom Terrific would have 13 games of ten or more strike outs.
In the bottom of the 5th, he ran into a jam, after recording the first two outs Garrett walked three straight batters, issuing passes to Seaver, Tommie Agee & Bud Harrelson. But he got out of the jam getting Cleon Jones to line out to left field.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Garrett walked two more Mets batters & was finally yanked by manager Sparky Anderson. Reliever Milt Wilcox came in & walked Jerry Grote to load the bases. But Wilcox then struck out Tom Seaver to end the inning.
In the top of the 10th for the Mets, another premier reliver of the 1970's Tug McGraw came on to pitch. He allowed a hit to Woody Woodward who had two of the Reds six hits on the day. But McGraw ended the inning striking out Pete Rose. Tug retired the side in order in the 11th.
In the bottom of the 10th, the Mets got a two out base hit from Ken Singleton & then Wayne Granger walked Bob Aspromonte. But Ken Boswell grounded out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 11th facing Wayne Granger, the loser of yesterday's game, Mets catcher Jerry Grote, led off hitting the walk off, game winning HR for the lone run of the game.
Mets Trivia: Jerry Grote would have four walk off hits in his career with two walk- off HRs.
Mets Trivia: Jerry Grote would have four walk off hits in his career with two walk- off HRs.For Granger it was two straight walks off losses in a row. The previous year he had been the league's best reliever, leading the NL in saves with 35 & games finished (59). In 1971 he led the league in appearances (70) but made just 11 saves as Clay Carroll took over as the Reds main closer.
The 1971 Mets would move into first place but fall out of that spot in the coming weeks but regain the top spot by the end of the month, remaining there until late May. They stayed would remain in second place until the end of July & end up finished in third at 83-79.
The 1971 Mets would move into first place but fall out of that spot in the coming weeks but regain the top spot by the end of the month, remaining there until late May. They stayed would remain in second place until the end of July & end up finished in third at 83-79.