Remembering Mets History (1996) John Franco Becomes the First Left Hander to Reach 300 Saves
The Expo offense was led by Henry Rodriguez & Moises Alou. Their pitching staff was led by Jeff Fassero, Pedro Martinez & reliever Mel Rojas. The Expos would finish the season in second place (88-74) fifth most wins in team history, behind Atlanta but would not make the playoffs as the wild card playoff format was still not in effect.
Starting in 1994 Green had managed the Mets for three seasons & never reached 60 wins in any season.
Tonight's game would be a milestone for Mets reliever John Franco. The New York born pitcher became the first left-handed reliever to record 300 saves in a career.
The starting pitchers the Mets Pete Harnisch & Montreal's Jeff Fassero went scoreless thru the first two innings.
In the bottom of the 5th, Edgardo Alfonzo doubled & Rey Ordonez reached on an infield. Lance Johnson grounded to short allowing Alfonzo to score to put the Mets ahead 2-1. In the bottom of the 6th, Butch Huskey led off with a base hit & Jeff Kent added a two out double scoring Huskey putting the Mets ahead 3-1.
In the top of the 8th, Mets reliever Doug Henry gave up two lead-off singles. Then Mets reliever Bob Macdonald came on, he got Henry Rodriguez to ground into a double play, but Mark Grudzielanek scored on the play narrowing the Mets lead to a run.
Franco began the inning striking out Darin Fletcher. The next batter, F.P. Santangelo reached on a base hit. Franco then struck out Shane Andrews for the second out.
For the Mets, they would finish fourth )71-91). Dallas Green would be fired in September after going 59-72.
After Green's managerial tenure ended the Bobby Valentine era began, bringing five winning seasons, an NL Pennant & two post season appearances in his six years at the helm.
Tonight's game would be a milestone for Mets reliever John Franco. The New York born pitcher became the first left-handed reliever to record 300 saves in a career.
In the home 3rd, Mets short stop Rey Ordonez led off with a double. That years Mets All Star, Lance Johnson drove him in with a single to right field.
Mets Trivia: That season Lance Johnson set a Mets single season record with his NL leading 227 hits.
In the top of the 5th, the Expos Shane Andrews singled, was sacrificed over to second base, almost got picked off but Pete Harnisch's throw went into centerfield & he advanced to third. Mark Grudzielanek's base hit scored Andrews to tie the game.
In the top of the 5th, the Expos Shane Andrews singled, was sacrificed over to second base, almost got picked off but Pete Harnisch's throw went into centerfield & he advanced to third. Mark Grudzielanek's base hit scored Andrews to tie the game.
Pete Harnisch would go seven innings allowing a run on three hits, striking out five & walking three.
In the top of the 8th, Mets reliever Doug Henry gave up two lead-off singles. Then Mets reliever Bob Macdonald came on, he got Henry Rodriguez to ground into a double play, but Mark Grudzielanek scored on the play narrowing the Mets lead to a run.
That set the stage for John Franco, to come on in the 9th inning in is usual closer role.
Franco began the inning striking out Darin Fletcher. The next batter, F.P. Santangelo reached on a base hit. Franco then struck out Shane Andrews for the second out.Then pinch hitter Sherman Obando flew out to Lance Johnson in deep center field to end the game.
The Mets won the game, with Pete Harnisch collecting the victory & John Franco his fifth save of the year. But more importantly, Franco collected a milestone 300th save of his career, the most ever by a left-handed pitcher.
The Mets won the game, with Pete Harnisch collecting the victory & John Franco his fifth save of the year. But more importantly, Franco collected a milestone 300th save of his career, the most ever by a left-handed pitcher.
After the game, he & his teammates popped open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Quotes- John Franco: "I'm sitting in pretty good company, it means I had a pretty good career so far".
John Franco Trivia: 
In 1996, the Brooklyn born John Franco appear in 51 games going 4-3 with 28 saves & a 1.83 ERA.
In 1996, the Brooklyn born John Franco appear in 51 games going 4-3 with 28 saves & a 1.83 ERA. After starting his career with the Reds (1984-1989) Franco pitched for the Mets from 1990 thru 2004, becoming the Mets All Time Mets leader in saves (276) & at the time of his retirement, be third on the All-Time saves list (424). John Franci is the all-time saves leader for left-handed pitchers.
