Remembering Mets History: (1976) John Milner Hits Third Grand Slam of Season As Jon Matlack Wins His 17th

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Monday September 27th, 1976: Joe Frazier's third place Mets had put in a good season (85-71) but were 11 1/2 games out of first place & their season was over.

With just a few games left to play, just only 2929 fans came out to a rainy Shea Stadium as the Mets hosted Charlie Fox's sixth place Montreal Expos (53- 103).  

 The Mets sent Jon Matlack to the mound, to face Larry Landreth. The Mets left hander, Matlack, was enjoying one of his finest seasons winning a career high 17 games (17-9), earning that 17th win on this night.



Starting Lineups


 Matlack went the distance, seven innings, in the rain shortened 10-2 Mets win. Matlack allowed three runs on seven hits, walking three while striking out one.

The hitting star of the night, was "the Hammer' John Milner. Milner came up with four hits, two HRs, six RBIs, highlighted by a grand slam. In the home 3rd, Jon Matlack singled to center field. Rookie Lee Mazzilli reached on an error advancing Matlack to third. Felix Millan then followed with an RBI sac fly. Milner then stepped in & blasted a two run HR, making it 3-0. It was Milners 14th HR of the year.

In the 6th inning, Matlack got his third hit of the night, he would drive in a run & score two runs as well, not bad for the pitcher. Mazzilli then was hit by a pitch & Felix Millan singled.

John Milner stepped in & blasted a grand slam HR. It was Milners third grand slam of the season, his 15th HR. He would be second on the club to Dave Kingmans 37 HRs & one of just three Mets (Kingman, himself & Ed Kranepool) to hit double figures in HRs.

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