Remembering Mets History (2001) Robin Ventura & Mike Piazza Have Back-to-Back Walk Off HR Games
In the off season after their 2000 pennant season, the Mets did not make any big signings except pitcher Kevin Appier, which did not work out.
A good crowd of 38,972 came out to support the Mets as they hosted Larry Bowa's second place Philadelphia Phillies (57-47).
For the Mets Al Leiter went up against Omar Daal. In 2000, Omar Daal had led the NL with 19 losses. He rebounded in 2001 to have his best season going 13-7.
In the bottom of the 1st, Todd Zeile doubled to left field. Mike Piazza then drew a walk. Jay
Payton & Benny Agbayani collected back-to-back RBI singles giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.
Leiter pitched six innings, giving up two runs, matching a season high ten hits while striking out five & walking one.
In the bottom of the 8th, former Met, Turk Wendell came on to pitch for the Phillies. Wendell got thru the 8th inning easily.
Sunday July 29th, 2001: On this afternoon, the Mets & Phillies were going for the series sweep.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, Desi Relaford singled then scored on Mike Piazza's 15th double of the season.
In the top of the 9th, Armando Benitez couldn't hold the lead once again, blowing another save opportunity. Benitez walked the leadoff man Kevin Jordan, gave up a base hit to Johnny Estrada, advancing Jordan to third. Brian Hunter's sac fly to center scored Kevin Jordan tying up the game once again, at four.
A good crowd of 38,972 came out to support the Mets as they hosted Larry Bowa's second place Philadelphia Phillies (57-47).
For the Mets Al Leiter went up against Omar Daal. In 2000, Omar Daal had led the NL with 19 losses. He rebounded in 2001 to have his best season going 13-7.
Payton & Benny Agbayani collected back-to-back RBI singles giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th, Benny Agbayani led off with a solo HR, his fifth HR of the year making it 3-0 Mets.
Al Leiter held the 3-0 lead until the 6th inning, then Tomas Perez homered & then former Met, Todd Pratt & Brian Hunter singled. Doug Glanville doubled to left center bringing home another run making a 3-2 game.
In the top of the 7th, Bobby Valentine brought in Jerrod Riggan to pitch. Riggan gave up a one out double to Bobby Abreu who then stole third base. Pat Burrell hit a line drive to right field, Joe McEwing couldn't handle the ball, allowing Abreu to score the games tying run.
The Mets bullpen of John Franco & Armando Benitez got the Mets to the 9th inning.
In the bottom of the 8th, former Met, Turk Wendell came on to pitch for the Phillies. Wendell got thru the 8th inning easily.
In the bottom of the 9th, Robin Ventura, led off hitting a walk off HR, his 18th HR of the season giving the Mets the 4-3 win.
It was Ventura's first walk off hit since the famous Grand slam single in the 1999 NLCS. It was his third Mets Walk off hit & only official HR.
_________________________________________
The starters were the Mets Kevin Appier (5-10) & the Phillies Nelson Figueroa. Appier was an off-season free agent signing that HAD turned out to be a big disappointment for the Mets.
Appier was 5-10 at that point although his ERA was a respectable 3.76. But from here on to the end of the season Appier was 6-0 with a 2.91 ERA. After the season, he would go to the Anaheim Angels in the Mo Vaughn deal.
The hero of yesterday's game, Robin Ventura followed with an RBI single to left field for his 45th RBI of the season, making it 2-0 Mets.
In the top of the 4th, the Phillies Bobby Abreu hit his 22nd HR, a two run HR that tied up the game.
In the bottom of the 7th, with Ricky Botalico on the mound for Philadelphia, Mets pinch hitter Lenny Harris walked then Desi Relaford singled to right field. Piazza grounded out to second base but Lenny Harris was able to score the Mets third run for the 3-2 lead.
In the top of the 8th the Phillies answered as Jimmy Rollins singled to center & Scott Rolen followed with a two run HR off John Franco putting the Phils up 5-4.
In the bottom of the 8th, Jay Payton led off with a base hit off Phillies reliever Jose Santiago. Next, Tsuyoshi Shinjo hit a two run HR gave the Mets a 5-4 lead. It was Shinjo's sixth HR of the year.
In the top of the 9th, Armando Benitez couldn't hold the lead once again, blowing another save opportunity. Benitez walked the leadoff man Kevin Jordan, gave up a base hit to Johnny Estrada, advancing Jordan to third. Brian Hunter's sac fly to center scored Kevin Jordan tying up the game once again, at four.
In the bottom of the 9th, Rheal Cormier retired Desi Relaford with the first out.
Mike Piazza ended the game hitting a walk off HR giving the Mets the 5-4 victory & their second walk off HR in as many days, completing the series sweep.
Mike Piazza Walk Off Trivia: This was Piazza's second Mets Walk off HR, he would hit two more (2003 & 2004) in his Mets career. Mike Piazza had three hits in the game, hitting his 15th HR & three RBIs.