Remembering Mets History (1999) Robin Ventura Becomes the First Player To Hit Grand Slams In Both Ends Of A Double Header
This late afternoon, 19,542 fans came to Shea as the Mets hosted Phil Garner's last place Milwaukee Brewers (18-20) in a twi-night double header.
Trivia: In 1998 the Brewers were moved to the National League after having spent 27 years in the American League. Milwaukee had not had a winning season since 1992.
The starting pitchers for the first game would be the Mets Al Leiter & Milwaukee's Jim Abbot. Six years earlier, Jim Abbot who was born without a right hand, had pitched a no hitter for the AL New York team.
Al Leiter was having a rough start to the season, entering the game with just one win & a 6.38 ERA.
then reached an infield single to third base, loading the bases.
Grand Slam HR: Robin Ventura who already had six HRs with 28 RBIs stepped in & blasted Abbot's pitch for a grand slam HR giving the Mets a 4-0 lead.
Trivia: It was Robin Ventura's 11th career grand slam, all coming in his time with the Chicago White Sox. That season Ventura signed with the Mets & this was his first as a Met payer.
With two outs, Lou Collier doubled scoring Mark Loretta with the second Brewer run. Three straight singles from Jeff Cirillo, Jeromy Burnitz & Marquis Grisson made it a 4-3 game.
In the top of the 4th, former Met Alex Ochoa led off with a walk then Ronnie Belliard singled. Jim Abbott put down a bunt to the left of Leiter, who threw the ball away allowing Ochoa to score the tying run.
Ordonez then reached on a walk. Al Leiter then laid down a bunt, this time pitcher Jim Abbot botched the play allowing Benny Agbayani to score, giving the Mets the lead back 5-4.
In the top of the 5th, Jeff Cirillo singled then Al Leiter hit Jeromy Burnitz with a pitch. Alex
Ochoa then doubled scoring Cirillo & Burnitz to give Milwaukee the 6-5 lead.
Ochoa then doubled scoring Cirillo & Burnitz to give Milwaukee the 6-5 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th, Mike Piazza & Edgardo Alfonzo singled to start the inning. Phil Garner took Abbott out of the game bringing in Steve Faltesek.
In the bottom of the 6th, John Olerud singled with two outs. Mike Piazza then hit a two-HR, for his 7th HR of the season, making it a 10-6 Mets lead.
Agbayani's Multi-HR Game: In the bottom of the 7th, Benny Agbayani hit his second HR of the game, making it 11-6. It was the first of two multi-HR games Agbayani would have on the season. The four RBIs would be a season best.
Al Leiter had pitched five innings, allowing six runs (five earned) & nine hits but earned his second victory. In the top of the 8th, Mets reliever Allen Watson would give up a two run HR to Jeff Cirillo, allowing three runs on three hits bringing Milwaukee to within two runs.
But pinch hitter Sean Berry caused havoc with a pop fly between first & second base just past the infield. Edgardo Alfonso couldn't handle to ball, making the error allowing Grissom to score. Alex Ochoa was running with two outs & followed Grissom to the plate, but right fielder Roger Cedeno fielded the ball, threw home to Mike Piazza who applied the tag to end the game giving the Mets a 11-10 win.
In the second game, one of Bobby Valentine's favorite pitchers, Masato Yoshi took the mound against Milwaukee's Steve Woodward. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Robin Ventura continued his big day, leading off with a double. Next, Brian McRae drove a base hit to left field bringing in Ventura with the first run.
After Benny Agbayani walked & Todd Pratt struck out, Luis Lopez singled driving in McRae for a 2-0 Mets lead.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Roger Cedeno singled then advanced on Roger Cedeno's fielder's choice. John Olerud doubled to center scoring Cedeno making it 3-0.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Benny Agbayani led off with a triple. With one out, Luis Lopez doubled in the right centerfield gap scoring Agbayani. After Masato Yoshi grounded out, Roger Cedeno collected his second hit scoring Lopez to put the Mets ahead 5-0.
The Mets big 4th inning continued, as Cedeno stole second & third base as well.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Roger Cedeno singled then advanced on Roger Cedeno's fielder's choice. John Olerud doubled to center scoring Cedeno making it 3-0.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Benny Agbayani led off with a triple. With one out, Luis Lopez doubled in the right centerfield gap scoring Agbayani. After Masato Yoshi grounded out, Roger Cedeno collected his second hit scoring Lopez to put the Mets ahead 5-0.
The Mets big 4th inning continued, as Cedeno stole second & third base as well.
Trivia: That year Roger Cedeno stole 60 bases setting a Mets franchise record breaking Mookie Wilson's club mark. Jose Reyes would later break that record as well.
Grand Slam HR: Robin Ventura greeted him with a long blast down the right field line. The ball stayed fair for Ventura's second grand slam of the evening. The 12th grand slam of his career.
Robin Ventura Makes History: Robin Ventura became the first player in MLB history to hit grand slams in both ends of a double header. In 1995 Ventura had hit two grand slams in a game against the Texas Rangers.
Quotes- Robin Ventura: "It's kind of better this time, because it involved two games, it's a little more satisfying."
Trivia: In his career Robin Ventura would hit 18 grand slam HRs, tied for fifth place with Willie McCovey, on the All-Time grand slam HR list.
The Mets were now ahead 9-0. In the bottom of the 7th Jermaine Allensworth added a solo HR as the Mets cruised to a 10-1 victory.
Masato Yoshi collected the win, pitching seven innings, allowing a run on eight hits, striking out four issuing two walks. Rigo Beltran pitched the final two innings.