Remembering Mets History (1999) Matt Franco's Subway Series Walk Off Base Hit

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Saturday July 10th, 1999: The 1999 subway series games at Shea Stadium, began with both New York teams having almost identical records. The Mets had taken the Friday night game, as Al Leiter beat Roger Clemens 5-2. Mike started his dominance of Clemens as he hit a three HR & Jon Olerud a solo shot.

In the Saturday matinee, Joe Torre's AL New York club (51-34) came to Shea facing the second place Mets (50-38). As usual a sellout crowd of 53,972 came to Shea, to watch the subway series. 

The Mets Rick Reed (3-3) went up against Andy Pettitte (3-4). Both starters would have a rough time of it & were both gone by the 6th inning. 

The A.L. New York club got a 1st inning two run HR from Paul O'Neill putting the Mets down 2-0. They quickly answered back as Rickey Henderson led off with a single, stole second & scored on Mike Piazza's 16th double of the year.

 In the bottom of the 2nd, Roger Cedeno walked then stole second & third base. He scored on Rey Ordonez's sac fly, tying it up at two. 

In the home 4th, Benny Agbayani singled & was brought in on a Robin Ventura double. Roger Cedeno bunted Ventura over to third. Rey Ordonez drove him in with another sac fly giving the Mets a 4-2 lead. 

In the 5th, the A.L. New York club tied it on back-to-back HRs from Ricky Ledee & Jorge Posada. In the 6th O'Neil, homered off Mets reliever Greg McMichael & in the 7th Chuck Knoblauch homered off Rigo Beltran putting the Mets behind 6-4. 

In the Mets home 7th inning, with reliever Ramiro Mendoza on the mound, Rickey Henderson doubled, then with two outs John Olerud drew a walk. Mike Piazza stepped in & hit a three run HR putting the Mets ahead 7-6. It was his 17th HR of the year & he now had 56 RBIs.

But Bobby Valentine's bullpen failed once again in the game, as Dennis Cook gave up a two run HR to Jorge Posada, putting the Mets behind 8-7. It was the sixth HR the Mets served up on the day.

In the bottom of the 9th, Mariano Rivera came on to close it out, but that wouldn't happen today.

 Rickey Henderson got on base for the fifth time, as he drew his second walk of the day. He had three hits & scored three runs on the day.

Edgardo Alfonzo then doubled but Henderson was held up at third base unable to score. John Olerud grounded out to first base unassisted & the Mets were down to their last out. 

Mike Piazza was the batter but there was no way Joe Torre was going to pitch to him as he was walked intentionally. 

Matt Franco was brought in to pinch hit for Melvin Mora. Franco delivered as he singled to right field scoring both Henderson & Alfonzo with the walk off game winning runs.
The Mets fans were ecstatic with the exciting win.


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