Remembering Mets History (1987) Kevin McReynolds Collects A Walk Off Hit to Beat the Reds

Sunday July 19th, 1987: Davey Johnson's reigning World Champion Mets (48-42) were seven games above .500 finding themselves in third place, 9.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. After winning four straight they had dropped two straight to Pete Rose's first place Reds (49-42).

This afternoon in front of 45,255 at Shea Stadium the Mets would send John Mitchell to the mound, to face Guy Hoffman. John Mitchell spent parts of four seasons with the Mets (1986 - 1990). 

After an easy 1st inning, John Mitchell ran into trouble in the 2nd inning. The Reds' Dave Parker led off with a base hit, then Mitchell walked Paul O'Neill. Back-to-back RBI base hits from Nick Esasky & Terry McGriff made it 2-0 Reds. After a fielder's choice, pitcher Guy Hoffman grounded out to short as Nick Esasky was able to score with the Reds third run.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Mets catcher Barry Lyons singled to left field. Rafael Santana hit a two out double to left putting runners on second & third. Pitcher John Mitchell then reached based on a catcher's interference call on Terry McGriff to load the bases. Manager Pete Rose fumed in the Reds dugout at the call. 

Guy Hoffman then walked Mookie Wilson with the bases loaded bringing in Barry Lyons with the Mets first run.

The score remained that way to the 6th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, with one out Howard Johnson hit his 22nd HR of the season, a solo shot bringing the Mets to within a run 3-2.

In the top of the 7th inning, John Mitchell retired the first two batters, then gave up back-to-back
singles & loaded the bases with a walk to Buddy Bell. Roger McDowell was brought in relief. McDowell immediately surrendered a two-run single to Eric Davis, giving the Reds a 5-2 lead.

In the home 7th, Mookie Wilson led off with a double to center field. Next Tim Teufel walked. Keith Hernandez then collected an RBI base hit to left field scoring Mookie Wilson. 

The Reds pitcher Frank Williams had Keith Hernandez picked off of first but got a throwing error got Keith to second base & Teufel to third. Kevin McReynolds then drew a walk to load the bases.

Pinch Hitter Lee Mazzilli hit an RBI sac fly to rightfield bringing home Teufel to bring the Mets to within a run. Howard Johnson then collected his second hit & RBI of the game bringing home Hernandez to tie the game up at five.

In the 9th, the Mets Jesse Orosco & the Reds John Franco tossed scoreless innings getting the game to extra innings. Overall, Jese Orosco would pitch three scoreless innings with John Franco throwing two scoreless frames. 

In the bottom of the 11th, Bill Scherrer came on to pitch for Cincinnati. Short time Met, Bill Almon was brought in to pinch hit & drew a leadoff walk. 

Teufel lined out to first base. Keith Hernandez then collected his third hit of the game with a single to left field. Bill Scherrer then walked Darryl Strawberry to load the bases. Pete Rose saw enough & went to reliever Bill Landrum.

The Mets Kevin McReynolds then hit a slow grounder in between second base & short that Barry Larkin couldn't handle quick enough to make a play on. Bill Almon then scored with the game winning walk run. 

Kevin McReynolds Trivia: For McReynolds it was one of three walks off hits he would have that season. In his six-year Mets career, Kevin would have eight-walk off hits. That year he was third on the club behind Darryl Strawberry & Howard Johnson in HRs (29) & RBIs (95).