Remembering Mets History: (1985) Gary Carter Hits Five HRs & Drives In Nine Runs In Two Games

Tuesday September 3rd, 1985: Davey Johnson's second place Mets (79-52) were just one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals in hot pursuit.

On this night they were on the West Coast in San Diego, taking on future Hall of Fame skipper, Dick Williams; third place Padres (69-62) .

The Mets Rick Augilera (6-5) went up against the Friars Dave Dravecky (11-7) in front 14,960 at Jack Murphy Stadium.

	New York Mets				San Diego Padres
1	Wally Backman	2B		1	Garry Templeton	SS
2	Tom Paciorek	RF		2	Tony Gwynn	RF
3	Keith Hernandez	1B		3	Steve Garvey	1B
4	Gary Carter	C		4	Graig Nettles	3B
5	Darryl Strawberry	CF		5	Terry Kennedy	C
6	George Foster	LF		6	Carmelo Martinez	LF
7	Ray Knight	3B		7	Kevin McReynolds	CF
8	Rafael Santana	SS		8	Tim Flannery	2B
9	Rick Aguilera	P		9	Dave Dravecky	P

In the 1st inning, Gary Carter started his big night with a two run HR, following a Keith Hernandez walk. In the 4th inning, Carter led off with a HR making it 3-0 Mets. It was his 22nd HR of the year & he wasn't finished yet. 

In the 5th inning, with Tom Paciorek & Keith Hernandez on base, Carter greeted new Padre pitcher Luis DeLeon with his third HR of the game, #23 on his season.

Darryl Strawberry added a HR of his own & Lenny Dykstra an RBI triple, as the Mets went on to an 8-3 victory. Steve Garvey, Terry Kennedy & Carmelo Martinez all hit solo HRs for the Padres.

Rick Augilera got the win & Jesse Orosco closed it out from the 7th inning on.

Wednesday September 4th 1985: Tonight the Mets would be just one game back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the heat of an outstanding September pennant race.

Davey Johnson's Mets (80-52) went up against Dick Williams Padres once again.

For the second place 1985

Mets, Carter led the club in HRs with a career high 32 (5th most in the NL). He also led the team in RBIs with 100 (6th best in the NL).

The starters were Ron Darling against former Met Roy Lee Jackson. Darling would earn his 14th win of the season allowing just two runs & seven hits over eight innings. He struck out four & walked three. Roger McDowell closed it out.

Starting Lineups

	New York Mets				San Diego Padres
1	Lenny Dykstra	CF		1	Garry Templeton	SS
2	Wally Backman	2B		2	Tony Gwynn	RF
3	Darryl Strawberry	RF		3	Steve Garvey	1B
4	Gary Carter	C		4	Graig Nettles	3B
5	Danny Heep	LF		5	Terry Kennedy	C
6	Tom Paciorek	1B		6	Carmelo Martinez	LF
7	Howard Johnson	3B		7	Kevin McReynolds	CF
8	Rafael Santana	SS		8	Tim Flannery	2B
9	Ron Darling	P		9	Roy Lee Jackson	P

In the top of the 2nd, the hot hitting Carter, blasted a solo HR his first of the night. Later in the 7th inning Carter would hit his second of the evening, #25 on the season. Carter would also have an RBI single in this game as his three hit, three RBI night capped off the Mets 9-2 win.

In the 3rd, Wall Backman singled bringing in Rafael Santana. In the 4th Danny Heep singled & was brought home by Howard Johnson's base hit. Johnson would score as Roy Lee Jackson balked. 

In the 9th Padre pitcher; Bob Patterson walked the bases loaded. Danny Heep & Tom Paciorek added RBI singles topping off the win.

Record Tying Performance: For Gary Carter, he became the 11th player in MLB history to hit five HRs in two games. The smoking hot Gary Carter was in the midst of a ten game hitting streak, where he collected 19 hits hit 8 HRs & drove in 15 runs. Carter was leading the Mets during this stretch in the hot pennant race.

Carter would finish the year leading the Mets with 32 HRs & 100 RBIs. He was second on the club in hits (156) to Keith Hernandez & Runs scored (83).