Remembering Mets History (1969) Mets Second Six Game Win Streak of August After Another Sweep of the Padres
The Mets were now 71-52 five & 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs. They had gained five games in the standings during that homestand & the Cubs were worrying.
Tuesday August 26th, 1969: After an off day to travel to the West Coast, the Mets arrived in beautiful San Diego for a Twi-night double header. The starting pitchers were Tom Seaver (17-7) & Dick Kelly (4-7) in front of just 8,873 fans at Jack Murphy Stadium. The stadium was named after Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy's brother who was very influential in bringing MLB to the city of San Diego.
A 25-year-old, Cito Gaston (the future Toronto Blue Jay Manager) hit his second HR of the season, a two-run shot.
In the 7th"Downtown" Ollie Brown hit his 16th HR of the year giving the Padres three runs. Brown would hit 20 HRs in 1969 & 23 more in 1970.
In the top of the 6th, Bobby Pfeil & Tommie Agee both singled. Cleon Jones then doubled to center field, both runners scored giving New York a 4-2 lead. Cleon now led the team with 70 RBIs & was batting .352.
The Mets then had a big 7th inning as well. Ron Swoboda led off with a HR, his 5th of the year making it 5-2 Mets.
In the next at bat, Al Ferrara reached on an error at third by Bobby Pfeil. Gaston then tripled to score Ferrara with the unearned fourth run. On the night, Seaver struck out six & walked one.
The Mets scoring began, in the top of the 4th inning, Tommie Agee walked, & Donn Clendenon connected for a two-run HR, his eight of the season.
The Mets scoring began, in the top of the 4th inning, Tommie Agee walked, & Donn Clendenon connected for a two-run HR, his eight of the season.
In the top of the 6th, Bobby Pfeil & Tommie Agee both singled. Cleon Jones then doubled to center field, both runners scored giving New York a 4-2 lead. Cleon now led the team with 70 RBIs & was batting .352.The Mets then had a big 7th inning as well. Ron Swoboda led off with a HR, his 5th of the year making it 5-2 Mets.
Jerry Grote & Al Weis singled. After Seaver struck out, Buddy Harrelson singled bringing in Grote. Bobby Pfeil grounded out but got Weis's home with another run, making it 7-2. Tommie Agee topped off the scoring with a base hit bringing in Harrelson, it was Agee's 64th RBI.
In the second game, the Mets sent Jim McAndrew (5-5) to the mound, fresh off a shutout victory in his last start. McAndrew would face Joe Niekro (7-11).
In the top of the 6th, Art Shamsky & Ken Boswell both singled. Catcher Duffy Dyer drew a two out walk, following a double play. Then, Al Weis singled bringing in Shamsky with the first run. It was Weis' 18th RBI on the season.
In the 9th inning, Cleon Jones would single & reach third base after Ron Swoboda's base hit. With Duffy Dyer at bat, Padre pitcher Frank Reberger threw a passed ball charged to catcher Chris Cannizzaro. Jones scored with the third Mets run in the 3-0 win. They went on to sweep the twin bill & go 3.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs.
Wednesday August 27th, 1969: The Mets went for the series sweep of the Padres, as Jerry Koosman (11-8) went up against Clay Kirby (3-17). won his 12th game of the year in a one run two hit victory.
In the 1st inning, Koosman gave up his only run, a HR to Ollie Brown, his 17th of the season.
On this night, Koosman also collected himself two hits, he would only have four hits all season. In the 3rd inning, Koosman singled with one out. Tommie Agee walked & Cleon Jones doubled scoring both runners for his 71 & 72nd RBIs of the year. The Mets had a 2-1 lead.
Win Streak: The Mets completed the series sweep & were on a six-game win streak, winning twelve of their last thirteen games. After leaving San Diego they were just 2.5 games behind the first place Chicago Cubs.
Joe Niekro was not the Hall of Fame pitcher his brother Phil was, but still had a fine career winning 221 games against 204 losses with a 3.59 ERA, 1747 strike outs in 702 games pitching in 22 seasons.
For McAndrew it was another fine night. He shut out the Padres on five hits, striking out six with no walks. It was McAndrew's third win in a row & second straight shutout, while tossing 23 consecutive scoreless innings. He was now 6-5 on the year, winning six of his last nine decisions.
Niekro got out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning & held the Mets scoreless through the first five innings.
For McAndrew it was another fine night. He shut out the Padres on five hits, striking out six with no walks. It was McAndrew's third win in a row & second straight shutout, while tossing 23 consecutive scoreless innings. He was now 6-5 on the year, winning six of his last nine decisions.
Niekro got out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning & held the Mets scoreless through the first five innings.
In the top of the 6th, Art Shamsky & Ken Boswell both singled. Catcher Duffy Dyer drew a two out walk, following a double play. Then, Al Weis singled bringing in Shamsky with the first run. It was Weis' 18th RBI on the season. In the 7th, Tommie Agee led off with a single & was sacrificed to second on Bobby Pfeil's bunt. After Cleon Jones popped out, Art Shamsky brought in Agee with a base hit & the Mets second run.
In the 9th inning, Cleon Jones would single & reach third base after Ron Swoboda's base hit. With Duffy Dyer at bat, Padre pitcher Frank Reberger threw a passed ball charged to catcher Chris Cannizzaro. Jones scored with the third Mets run in the 3-0 win. They went on to sweep the twin bill & go 3.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs.
Kirby would lead the NL with 20 losses on the season. He would rebound to win ten or more games over the next three seasons, winning 15 in 1971.
For Jerry Koosman, he would pitch a one run, two-hit complete game victory. He struck out six & walked two in his 12th win. Koosman had beaten the Padres at home in his last start. From that point on through the end of the regular season he went 8-1 finishing with a 2.28 ERA. He would go 2-0 in the post season winning two games in the World Series.
On this night, Koosman also collected himself two hits, he would only have four hits all season. In the 3rd inning, Koosman singled with one out. Tommie Agee walked & Cleon Jones doubled scoring both runners for his 71 & 72nd RBIs of the year. The Mets had a 2-1 lead.
In the 6th, Bobby Pfeil singled to start off the inning. Art Shamsky then doubled him in for a 3-1 Mets lead. Ken Boswell followed with a base hit bringing home Shamsky for the Mets fourth run, a 4-1 lead.
Win Streak: The Mets completed the series sweep & were on a six-game win streak, winning twelve of their last thirteen games. After leaving San Diego they were just 2.5 games behind the first place Chicago Cubs.