Remembering Mets History (1970) Gary Gentry Throws A One Hitter At Wrigley Field

Wednesday May 13th, 1970: The Mets had just left Philadelphia with Tom Seaver tossing a one hit shutout. The Mets went a bit west to the Mid-West to open as series in Chicago with the rival Cubs.

A small crowd of just over 9,000 came out to Wrigley Field in Chicago for a usual day game. Leo Durocher's first place Cubs (16-13), hosted Gil Hodges reigning World Champion New York Mets (16-16). At the time the two teams were rivals.

The starting pitchers were, New Jersey born, Bill Hands (5-1) facing off against the Mets youngster, Gary Gentry. Gentry was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA entering the game.

In the 1969 Championship season, the rookie Gentry was impressive, but took a back seat on a staff that featured Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman & Nolan Ryan.

Gentry had a fine year & a fine post season as well. In a four-year Mets career, Gentry had some fine outings, today being one of them, as he pitched one of his two career Mets one hitters.

In the top of the 1st inning, Bill Hands struck out the Mets in order. 

To start the game, Gary Gentry retired the Cubs in order in the first two innings. 

In the top of the 2nd, the Mets threatened as Ken Boswell singled then stole second. With two outs Joe Foy was hit with a pitch, but Jerry Grote struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Gentry struck out the side,
fanning Jimmie Hall, Jack Hiatt & the pitcher Bill Hands.

In the 4th inning, with one out Art Shamsky hit his 4th HR of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall. 

In the bottom of the 4th, he struck out the leadoff batter, short stop Don Kessinger. Gentry got Glen Beckert to fly out, then ended the inning by striking out Hall of Famer, Billy Williams.

In the top of the 5th, Wayne Garrett led off with a double to left field. Jerry Grote flew out to center & Garrett tagged up going to third base. Next the pitcher, Gentry helped his own cause by delivering a base hit to leftfield, scoring Garrett with the Mets second run 2-0. 

In the 5th, Gentry issued his only walk of the day, a leadoff walk to Ron Santo. But he then got Johnny Callison to ground into a double play & retired Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks on another ground out to end the inning.

In the top of the 6th, Gentry retired the side in order ending the inning by striking out the pitcher Bill Hands. 

In the top of the 7th, the Mets Mike Jorgensen led off with a walk. Wayne Garrett then tripled to centerfield, scoring Jorgensen with the Mets third run. Garret hit four triples on the season.

Jerry Grote then singled into left field, scoring Garrett to make it 4-0 Mets. 

As Gary Gentry took the mound for the bottom of the 7th inning, the no hitter was still intact. He got Don Kessinger to ground out to Ken Boswell for the first out. Glen Beckert & Billy Williams both popped out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the no hitter tension filled the air. Gentry got Ron Santo & Johnny Callison to fly out to right field for the second out. 

No Hit Big Ruined: Then, future Hall of Famer, "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks stepped in & looped a fly ball to left field. Mets outfielder, Dave Marshall could not catch up to it, as the ball dropped in for a base hit. The first hit of the game. Gentry had lost his no hitter. 

Gentry got Jimmie Hall to fly out Agee in center, for the third out. 

In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Mets were holding the 4-0 lead. Jack Hiatt started the inning by flying out for the first Cubs out. Gentry then hit pinch hitter, Willie Smith with a pitch. Then Don Kessinger popped up to fellow short stop Bud Harrelson. Glenn Beckert then flew out to right to end the game. 

Gary Gentry pitched the one hit complete game shutout, the second straight game where a Mets pitcher threw a one hit shutout. Gentry struck out seven while walking one for his fourth win of the year. Gentry also lowered his ERA to 1.71.

Trivia: This was the fifth one hitter thrown in Mets history. Nolan Ryan had just tossed a one hitter in April. In just two days, Tom Seaver would throw his second career one hitter. As for Gentry, he would pitch another one hitter for the Mets in 1971.

In the 1970 season, Gary Gentry went 9-9 with a 3.68 ERA. He struck out 134 batters & walked 86 in 188 innings pitched. In 35 appearances he had five complete games & threw two shut outs.