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 open a series in Chicago with the rival Cubs.

A small crowd of just over 9,000 came out to Wrigley Field for a the usual afternoon 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 as the Mets overtook the Cubs in last years NL East pennant race.

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, the Cubs pitcher, New Jersey native Bill Hands struck out the Mets in order. 

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.

Gary Gentry retired the first 12 Cubs in a row to start out the game. In the bottom of the 3rd, he struck out the side, fanning Jimmie Hall, Jack Hiatt & pitcher Bill Hands.

In the top of the 4th inning, with one out Art Shamsky hit his fourth HR of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall giving New York a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the 4th, Gary Gentry struck out the leadoff batter, short stop Don Kessinger for his fourth K in a row. 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 inning, 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, Gary Gentry helped his own cause by delivering a base hit to leftfield scoring Garrett with the Mets second run making it 2-0. 

In the bottom of the 5th, Ron Santo drew a walk ending the bid for the perfect game. Johnny Callison then grounded into a double play Bud Harrelson to Mike Jorgensen. Next Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks grounded out to Joe Foy to end the inning.

In the top of the 6th, Gentry retired the side in order ending the inning by striking out 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. Wayne Garret would hit four triples on the season.

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

In the bottom of the 7th inning, Gary Gentry was still working on a no hitter. First he got Don Kessinger to ground out to Ken Boswell at second for the first out. Then Glen Beckert flew out & Billy Williams popped up to end the inning. Gentry had retired 21 of 22 batters with a no hitter still in tact.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, with no hitter tension filling the tense air at Wrigley Field, Gentry got the first two outs as Ron Santo & Johnny Callison both flew out.

No Hit Bit Ruined: Then, future Hall of Famer "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks stepped in & looped a fly ball to left field. Mets outfielder, Dave Marshall couldn't catch up to it & the ball dropped in for a base hit, the first hit of the game. 

After retiring 23 of 24 batters, Gentry lost his no hitter. 

Gentry got Jimmie Hall to fly out to Tommie 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 short stop Bud Harrelson. Glenn Beckert then flew out to right to end the game. 

Gary Gentry pitched a one hit complete game shutout striking out seven while walking one for his fourth win of the year lowering his ERA to 1.71.

Mets One Hit Trivia: This was the fifth one hitter thrown in franchise history. In April, Nolan Ryan had tossed a one hitter. In the Mets next game in Philadelphia, Tom Seaver would throw his second career one hitter. As for Gary Gentry, he would pitch another one hitter for the Mets the following season.

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.