Remembering Mets History (2006) Mets Hit Two Grand Slams In an Inning & Set Club Record With 11 Runs

Sunday July 16th, 2006:
Willie Randolph's first place Mets (55-37) had a big twelve game lead in the N.L. East & were playing in the rubber game of a three game series in "the Friendly Confines" of Wrigley Field.

Dusty Baker's fifth place Chicago Cubs (35-56) had won four of the last five games, still recovering after a bad stretch where they had lost 14 of 17 games to end June. A crowd of 40,157 came for the late afternoon start in what was a wild but historic day for the Mets.

The Mets sent "El Duque'" Orlando Hernandez (5-8) to the mound. Hernandez spent two seasons with the Mets (2006-2007) going 18-12 with a 3.88 ERA with 240 strike outs in 264 innings in 47 appearances.  The Cubs starter was Sean Marshall (5-7).


"El Duque" got into trouble right away, giving up a lead off hit to Juan Pierre who then stole second. Back to back doubles by Michael Barrett & Aramis Ramirez made it quickly 2-0.

Hernandez couldn't get through the 2nd inning, first allowing a HR to the pitcher Sean Marshall, then another single to Pierre who stole second again, another double to Barrett & a single to Jacque Jones made it 5-0. Hernandez allowed five runs on seven hits with two walks in 1.2 innings of work. He was relieved by Darren Oliver. 

The Mets would use seven pitchers on the day; Hernandez (1.2 innings) Darin Oliver (2.1 innings) Pedro Feliciano, Chad Bradford, Aaron Heilman, Heath Bell & Duaner Sanchez all pitched one inning with Heilman giving up two more runs.


In the Mets 4th, the slowly came back as Chris Woodward homered, his third of the year. In the 5th, Cliff Floyd hit his first HR if the day, as the Mets were now on the board down 5-2.

Historic Inning: In the top of the 6th, the Mets enjoyed a historic inning in team history. The Mets scored a club record eleven runs in the inning. They became just the seventh team in history to hit two grand slams in the same inning. 

It was the first time they had done in in franchise history. They would hit three HRs that inning, with eight hits & sent 15 batters to the plate.

Chris Woodward started out with a fly out to center field. Carlos Beltran reached on an error, then Carlos Delgado & David Wright both singled to load the bases for Cliff Floyd. 

Floyd then hit a grand slam HR, putting the Mets up 6-5. It was his 9th HR of the season & his second HR of the day with his five RBis. Floyd had six career grand slams.

Xavier Nady walked & that was it for Sean Marshall, Roberto Novoa came into pitch. Ramon Castro reached base when second baseman Todd Walker couldn't handle the throw trying to get Nady at second, he advanced to third.

Endy Chavez then delivered a pinch-hit single bringing in Nady. Endy Chavez stole second. Jose Valentin reached on an infield hit to load the bases once again. 

Chris Woodward came up and grounded to third, the force was made at home, with Woodward making the only two outs of the inning so far. It wasn't over yet.

With the bases still loaded, Carlos Beltran blasted a grand slam HR of his own, his 26th HR of the year. The Mets had nine runs in the inning. Beltran would hit 11 career grand slams placing him in the top 45 of all time on that list.

Quotes- Carlos Beltran:
"I never saw the guy on third, but then I saw three guys at home plate, so I was excited".

Carlos Delgado doubled & David Wright finished off the historic Mets inning by hitting his 21st HR of the year. The Mets had set a franchise record scoring eleven runs in the inning and were now ahead 13-5.

The Cubs brought in Will Ohman to pitch, he walked Floyd & Nady but Ramos Castro flew out to end the inning.

In the 7th Aaron Heilman gave up a two run HR to Phil Nevin  making it 13-7. That was the final, the Mets had 14 hits & the Cubs 15 hits, also making two errors.


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