Remembering Mets History (1962) Al Jackson Throws the First One Hitter in Mets History
Casey Stengel's Mets (17-47) already 26 games back of the first place Dodgers hosted Harry Craft's, Houston Colt 45's (30-35) 14 games out of first place.
Trivia: In 1962 there were no divisions yet, the National League consisted of just ten teams. The Colt 45's would be renamed the Houston Astros in 1965.
In the top of the 1st, Al Jackson retired leadoff man Bob Lillis on ground out to short. The second batter of the inning, Joe Amalfitano hit a base hit into left field.
Richie Ashburn Trivia: Ashburn was the Mets first All Star & was the first Met player to hit .300 in a season. Ashburn would hit seven HRs on the season as well.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Ashburn led off a walk, then was moved over to second base on a Charlie Neal's sacrifice hit. Felix Mantilla then followed with a single to left field scoring Ashburn with the Mets second & final run in the 2-0 win.
Jackson struck out nine Houston Colt 45s & walked two on his way to his fourth win.
Mets Trivia: This was the first one hit game thrown by a Mets pitcher in franchise history. As of 2025 they would have forty-one hit games thrown by Mets pitchers. In his six-year career, Al Jackson would throw two-two hit shut outs as well as & two three hit shut outs.
Tonight, the Mets Al Jackson (3-8) took on Houston's Turk Farrell (5-6). In his last start Jackson had given up a season high eight runs to the Cubs. Before that he had allowed just three runs in 18 innings over three appearances.
In the top of the 1st, Al Jackson retired leadoff man Bob Lillis on ground out to short. The second batter of the inning, Joe Amalfitano hit a base hit into left field. This was to be the only hit Al Jackson allowed the rest of the game.
Jackson struck out Roman Mejias for the second out, then walked Norm Larker putting two men on. It was the only time in the game a Houston player reached second base. Jackson struck out Carl Warwick to end the inning.
Jackson would retire the next 22 batters in a row, when in the 9th inning he walked pinch hitter Pidge Browne.
Jackson would retire the next 22 batters in a row, when in the 9th inning he walked pinch hitter Pidge Browne.
In the bottom of the 1st, Richie Ashburn hit a leadoff HR off Turk Farrell to start the game.
Richie Ashburn Trivia: Ashburn was the Mets first All Star & was the first Met player to hit .300 in a season. Ashburn would hit seven HRs on the season as well.In the bottom of the 6th inning, Ashburn led off a walk, then was moved over to second base on a Charlie Neal's sacrifice hit. Felix Mantilla then followed with a single to left field scoring Ashburn with the Mets second & final run in the 2-0 win.
In the top of the 9th, after the leadoff walk, Al Jackson retired Bob Lillis on a fly ball to left field. He then struck out Joe Amalfitano & Roman Mejias to complete his one hit victory.
The Mets would get romped in the second game of the double header, taking a 16-3 loss.