Remembering Mets History (1991): Back-to-Back Pinch Hit HRs & Hojo's Walk OFF

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Saturday May 4th, 1991: The Mets had finished in second place or better over the past seven seasons, with two NL East Titles & a World Championship in those years. But in 1991 the season turned out to be a very big disappointment, as they finished up in fifth place going 77-84.

Howard Johnson was the team's biggest star, HoJo slugged his way to be the only Met in team history to lead the league in both HRs & RBIs in a single season.

 At this early point in the season things were still looking good, manager Bud Harrelson's Mets were at 14-9, in second place just one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A good crowd of 38,413 came out to Shea Stadium to see the Mets host Roger Craig's struggling San Francisco Giants (8-15). The Giants had come off five straight winning seasons with two NL Weast titles & were the NL Champions two years prior. They too would disappoint with a 75-87 fourth place finish in 1991.

On this afternoon the Mets Ron Darling (1-2) went up against San Francisco's John Burkett (2-2).

In the top of the 1st inning, the Giants' Mike Felder led off with a base hit & then advanced on a
fielder's choice. With two outs, former Met Kevin Mitchell drove a base hit to rightfield bringing in the Giants first run.

 In the top of the 3rd, the Giants got two men on with base hits. Will Clark drove a base hit to right field bringing in the Giants second run for a 2-0 lead.  

 In the bottom of the 4th, Dave Magadan led off with a double. The next batter Hubie Brooks reached on an infield hit. Howard Johnson then drove in Magadan with the Mets first run with a single to right. Brooks advanced to third & scored on Kevin Elster's sac fly, to tie the game at two.

In the top of the 5th, with one out, Mike Felder collected his second hit of the day reaching third with a triple. Giants' slugger, Will Clark then hit a two run HR off Darling putting the Giants up 4-2. It was Clarks fifth HR of the season.

Ron Darling was through after five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with three strike outs & a walk. For Darling he would be traded just two months later, going to Montreal for Tim Burke.

Wally Whitehurst would hold the Giants down for two innings, giving up just one hit while striking out three. Alejandro Pena then held the Giants scoreless for two more innings getting through the 8th & 9th.

As for the Giants Burkett went seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits, with two walks. He didn't strike out anyone. Jeff Brantley came on & got through the 8th inning. 

A Mets First: In the bottom of the 9th the Mets did something that had never been done in franchise history. Manager Bud Harrelson sent in Two pinch hitters & both would hit HRs. First Mackey Sasser batting for Charlie O'Brien homered off Brantley to right field. 

Next pinch hitter Mark Carreon batting for the pitcher also homered off Brantley tying up the game. It was the first time two Mets pinch hitters went back-to-back with HRs.

The Mets bullpen continued, doing a fine job, as John Franco would hold the Giants scoreless for the next two innings getting to the 12th. 

In the top of the 12th, Mets pitcher Pete Schourek started the inning striking out Mike Felder & Willie McGee. He then got wild & walked both Will Clark & Kevin Mitchell. Slugger Matt Williams then flew out to end the inning.

For the Giants Dave Righetti came on after Brantley, pitching two scoreless innings. 

In the bottom of the 12th, the Giants' Mike Lacoss was on the mound & began the inning striking out Tommy Herr.  He then walked Dave Magadan. Mets catcher, Rick Cerone hit a weak groundball to first, the only out that could be made was Magadan at second. 

Next, Howard Johnson was the hero of the day, as he blasted the walk off, game winning HR. The Mets won it 5-4.

Trivia: Howard Johnson would have his biggest year in 1991, becoming the first Mets player to lead the NL in HRs (38) & RBIs (117). He stole 30 bases making him a 30/30 club member for the third time in five seasons. 

He also had the best HR to at bat ratio in the NL (14.8). Hojo came in fifth in the MVP voting & made his second All Star team. 

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