Tuesday April 30th, 2002: On this evening the Mets who were in an early season first place tie with the Montreal Expos, were in the Arizona desert going up against the reigning World Champion Diamondbacks at Bank One Ball Park.
A good crowd of 36,743 came to see Bob Brenly's D-backs host Bobby Valentines, New York Mets.
Mike Piazza returned to the lineup tonight after being sidelines for a week with a strained hamstring.
Arizona's Rick Helling (3-2) went up against Al Leiter (2-1) who was holding a 1.13 ERA over his first five games. Going into this game, Leiter had victories against all other 29 MLB teams in his career. With a win tonight he would become the first pitcher to have beaten all 30 MLB teams.
In the top of the 1st inning the Mets pounced on Rick Helling, Roberto Alomar & Mo Vaughn both singled. Then Mike Piazza blasted a three run HR making it 3-0. It was Piazza's sixth HR of the season.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Roberto Alomar tripled with one out, then scored on a Roger Cedeno fielder's choice.
Mike Piazza then came to bat & blasted his second HR of the game, one in each inning of the game. It was the second multi-HR game of the season for Piazza who had just had one two weeks earlier in a win over the Braves. It was the 29th of his career.
Piazza would have five multi-HR games on the 2002 season. This gave Piazza seven HRs & 16 RBIs on the young season.
In the top of the 3rd, a two run HR from Joe McEwing finally knocked Rick Helling out of the game. Helling allowed eight earned runs on eight hits including three HRs over 2.1 innings. The Mets then greeted new pitcher Brian Anderson with three straight hits, including an RBI single from Mo Vaughn. Mike Piazza grounded out to second allowing Roberto Alomar to score.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Leiter hit two batters & the D-acks got a run due to an error he made on a grounder to the mound. Leiter would allow just two more hits over the next four innings holding Arizona to just the one run.
Al Leiter went on to an easy 10-1 victory, as the Mets pounded out 16 hits for him including three HRs. Leiter pitched seven innings allowing just one run, on three hits, with no walks & two hit batsman.
Quotes- Al Leiter: "I believe this is the only stadium where I have not won in the major leagues. I was joking with the guys & said I've never lost with ten runs, get me ten& I think I can win this one & they did".
Trivia: With the victory, Al Leiter became the first pitcher to have beaten all 30 MLB teams throughout his career. Since then, twenty other pitchers have done it.
Leiter had the most wins (12) over the Atlanta Braves & Florida Marlins. He collected 11 wins in 12 decisions over the Milwaukee Brewers. Leiter also had double figures in wins over the Colorado Rockies (10) & Philadelphia Phillies. In interleague play he would go 17-11 with a 3.71 ERA.
In 2002 Al had a great start to the season, going 3-1 with a 0.92 ERA. On the season, he would go 13-13 with a 3.48 ERA in the Mets dismal season where they finished fifth (75-86).
In seven seasons with the Mets Leiter was 95-67 with a 3.42 ERA, winning 15 or more games three times. He won ten or more games each season & is sixth on the Mets all time win list.
Quotes- Al Leiter: "I believe this is the only stadium where I have not won in the major leagues. I was joking with the guys & said I've never lost with ten runs, get me ten& I think I can win this one & they did".