Remembering Mets History (1986) Dwight Gooden Defeats Nolan Ryan & The Astros In a 2-1 Duel
At this point in the season, Davey Johnson's first place Mets (54-21) were running away with the NL East, holding a 12.5 game lead over the Montreal Expos.
Over in the NL West, Hal Lanier's Houston Astros (42-37) were 1.5 games behind the San Francisco Giants but would eventually take over the division.
Todays, starting pitchers, were two of the best in that era as the Mets Dwight Gooden went up against future Hall of Famer, Nolan Ryan in front of 28,557 fans at Shea Stadium.
In the top of the 2nd, Kevin Bass led off with a base hit, but was erased by Mets catcher Gary Carter, as he attempted to steal second.
In the bottom of the 2nd, the Mets got a leadoff single from Danny Heep, then Nolan Ryan walked Howard Johnson. But Rafael Santana hit into a double play & after Ryan walked Dwight Gooden, Lenny Dykstra grounded out to Craig Reynolds at short.
Nolan Ryan would pitch five innings, allowing the one run on three hits. He struck out six Mets & walked three. He was relieved by Larry Andersen, who pitched a scoreless 6th inning.
In the top of the 7th, Gooden served up a HR to the dangerous Kevin Bass, trying up the game at one.
In the bottom of the 7th, after a fun filled seventh inning stretch the Astros, Dave Smith came on in relief. He started out walking Rafael Santana then Dwight Gooden sacrificed Santana over to second base. Lenny Dykstra doubled to right field, bringing in Santana with the lead run, making it 2-1.
In the top of the 8th, Gooden gave up a one out walk to Ty Gainey then got Denny Walling to ground into an inning ending double play.
In the top of the 9th, Glenn Davis grounded out then Gooden struck out Kevin Bass. He then walked Phil Garner, putting the tying run on base. Manager Davey Johnson stuck with him & Craig Reynolds grounded out to Keith Hernandez unassisted at first base to end the game.
Dwight Gooden, went the distance, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out four & walking five. He went to 10-3 on the season, with a 2.58 ERA.
The Mets only had five hits in the game, with Len Dykstra collecting two of them, along with the game winning RBI.
The Mets won their eighth straight game, their second longest win streak of the year. They had won 11 straight games in April. This win streak would end the next day as they took a 2-1 loss to the Astros.