Remembering Mets History (1985) Keith Hernandez Starts Out the Month With Two Big Games
The Mets starter was Ed Lynch (10-7) going up against the Giants, Dave LaPoint (7-11) in front of a small crowd of 9,975 at Candlestick Park.
For Keith Hernandez it was always special coming to the Bay Area where he grew up. He enjoyed playing against the team he rooted for as a kid when his father took him & his brother to games at Candlestick Park.
Tonight, Keith would not get the start at first base, as Gary Carter got a rare start at the position.
The Mets were in a funk as they had just lost four of five games, but after today would go on a five-game win streak, taking seven of eight.
In the top of the 4th inning, Mets first baseman that day, Gary Carter tied up the game with a solo HR, his 20th blast of the year.
In the Giants 6th inning, with the score still tied at one, Dan Driessen & Ron Roenicke both singled. Mets pitcher Ed Lynch got former Met Joel Youngblood to pop up to Wally Backman for the second out. But Bob Brenly then doubled bringing in both runners giving the Giants a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the 9th still down 3-1, the Mets Howard Johnson led off with a double off Giants reliever, Scott Garrelts.
Scott Garrelts Trivia: Garrelts would eventually transition to a full-time starting pitcher. In 1989 he would lead the NL in ERA (2.28) & winning % (.737) going 14-5 leading the Giants to the NL pennant.
Pinch hitter Rusty Staub, followed with a double, bringing in HoJo with the Mets second run, making it a one run game. Short time Met Larry Bowa came in to pinch run for Staub.
Mookie Wilson followed with a fly ball base hit that landed in short left field. Larry Bowa attempted to score but was thrown out at home plate by short stop Jose Uribe.
Jim Davenport went to his bullpen bringing in Mark Davis.
Mark Davis Trivia: Mark Davis went 5-12 that year his first full year transitioning to a reliever. By 1989 he would lead the NL in saves (44) & appearances (65) with the Padres.
Davey Johnson then sent up Keith Hernandez to pinch hit. With many family & friends in the crowd, Keith did not disappoint, hitting a two run HR to right field putting the Mets ahead 4-3. It was his 9th HR & 73rd team leading RBI of the year.
It turned out to be the game's winning runs as Jesse Orosco closed the door in the bottom of the 9th inning retiring the side in order.
Trivia: Keith Hernandez led the league in game winning RBI's that season, a stat that was official at the time.
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beautiful San Diego to play Dick Williams third place Padres (69-60). The Padres were the reigning NL Champions, having had lost the 1984 World Series to the Detroit Tigers in five games.
On this evening, the Mets Sid Fernandez (5-8) went up against the friars Mark Thurmond (6-7).
The Mets star of last night's game, Keith Hernandez would have another big night.
Darryl Strawberry then hit a triple bringing in both Hernandez & Carter for a 3-0 lead. Ray Knight grounded to short as Strawberry scored the Mets four run. The Mets sent eight men to the plate collecting four runs on four hits & a walk.
In the bottom of the 1st, Tony Gwynn put the Padres on the board with a solo HR.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Wally Backman singled & stole his team leading 24th base. Keith Hernandez followed with a base hit bringing in Backman to make it 5-1 Mets.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Wally Backman singled & stole his team leading 24th base. Keith Hernandez followed with a base hit bringing in Backman to make it 5-1 Mets.
In the top of the 4th inning, Hernandez collected his third single of the game to go 3-3.
In the top of the 7th inning, Hernandez got his fourth single of the evening. He advanced on Gary Carter's base hit, then scored his fourth run of the day, on George Foster's single. Ray Knight added a three run HR making it 10-1 Mets.
Sid Fernandez walked two batters but had not allowed a hit since the 2nd inning. In the home 7th, the Padres put up two runs after Carmelo Martinez walked, Graig Nettles doubled then Kevin McReynolds collected an RBI single. Sid Fernandez threw a wild pitch allowing Nettles to score the Padres third run.
Keith Trivia: For Keith it was his tenth HR of the year & team leading 70 RBIs raising his batting average to .295. In the past two games he had six hits, with two HRs & five RBIs. He would finish the year batting .309 (6th in the NL) with 183 hits (8th in the NL) 87 runs scored 10 HRs 34 doubles & team best 91 RBIs (10th in the NL).
Sid Fernandez took the complete game victory (6-8) lowering his ERA to 2.84. The Mets were now just one game behind the Cardinals in the NL East.