Remembering Mets History: (2004) Richard Hidalgo Sets Club Mark Homering In Five Straight Games

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On June 18th 2004, Richard Hidalgo came over to the Mets from the Houston Astros in exchange for Jeremy Griffiths & David Weathers.

Although his stay in New York was brief, he made his spot in Mets history, setting a club record by homering in five straight games.

Before his streak, he had hit three HRs in his first ten Mets games.

On July 1st, 2004 Art Howe's Mets (38-39) were at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati to face Dave Miley's Reds (42-36).

In this game Al Leiter pitched seven shut out innings giving up just two hits. He left with a 4-0 lead but reliever Ricky Bottalico gave up five quick runs in just 0.2 of an inning pitched.

The Mets had three other HRs on the night, hit by Eric Valent, Shane Spencer & Jose Reyes. In the 8th, Hidalgo hit a solo HR, his first in his club record setting streak. It was also the game winning run as the Mets squeaked out a 7-6 victory.

The next three were against the AL New York team, as the Mets swept the inter league subway series at Shea Stadium. In the 1st game on Friday night, Hidalgo led the charge hitting a two run HR off Mike Mussina in the 5th inning, his 9th of the year. Hidalgo already had an RBI double earlier in the game. That night Kaz Matsui hit two HRs & drove in five runs. The Mets went on to an 11-2 victory.

On Saturday afternoon Hidalgo hit a HR off Jose Contreras, for his third straight game with a HR. Also on this day, Cliff Floyd & Ty Wiggington also homered. It was a wild 10-9 Mets win, as 34 different players were used in a four hour sub way series epic.

Sunday- Independence Day, July 4th. The Mets used five pitchers as the AL New York club used four in another tight game. Tonight was Ty Wiggington's night as he was having himself a hell of a series. He hit two HRs including one in the bottom of the 8th which was the game winner.

As for Richard Hidalgo he had hit his fourth straight game where he hit a HR, his came in the home 7th, a game tying solo shot off Felix Heredia. Wiggy hit two, including the game winner in the bottom of the 8th inning.

After a successful weekend, the Mets went to Philadelphia on Monday July 5th to face the first place Phillies. Tonight Hidalgo wasted no time, hitting a 1st inning HR off Paul Abbot to set the Mets club record of hitting a HR in five straight games.

Two nights later, Hidalgo tripled in the Mets first run & then the games go ahead run, helping Al Leiter to a 4-1 win, getting the Mets within two games of first place. Since coming to the Mets, Hidalgo was hitting .348 (23-for-66) with 8 HRs & 15 RBIs in 17 games.

Hidalgo would end the season with 25 HRs (21 of them as a Met) & 82 RBIs but only hit for a .239 average. After a hot June/July streak, he cooled off considerably and the Mets did not resign him for 2005. He finished out his career in Texas hitting 16 HRs with a .221 average in 2005.

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