Remembering Mets History (2003) On Italian Night at Shea Mike Piazza Returns After Three Month Injury with a Multi- Five RBI Game

 Wednesday August 13th, 2003- Italian Night at Shea: Mike Piazza returned to action tonight, after missing three months of action on the DL. At 34 this was an injury plagued season for Piazza. 

At the start of the season, he missed ten games then had to serve a four-game suspension for a Spring Training brawl. On May 17th in San Francisco as he tried to avoid a pitch from the Giants Jason Schmidt he tore his groin. 

Tonight, Piazza returned to the line up in front of 31,759 fans celebrating Italian Heritage at Shea Stadium. 

Art Howe's last place Mets (50-69) hosted Felipe Alou's first place San Francisco Giants (73-45). The Giants would win the NL West that year but lose the NLDS to the eventual World Champion Florida Marlins.

Tonight, the Mets sent Steve Trachsel (10-7) to the mound to face Jerome Williams (5-2). In 2003 Trachsel led the Mets staff with 16 wins (16-10) one win ahead of Al Leiter. Trachsel led the staff with a 3.78 ERA, 33 starts, two complete games, two shut outs & 204 innings pitched.

In the top of the 1st inning, Jose Cruz started the game with a double advanced on a fielder's

choice & scored on a Marquis Grissom sac fly. 

In the bottom of the 1st, Mike Piazza stepped up to a big welcome back ovation & grounded out to short in his first at bat.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Cliff Floyd drew a leadoff walk, then consecutive singles from Jason Phillips & Timo Perez loaded the bases with nobody out. Giants' pitcher Jerome Williams hit Jeromy Burnitz with a pitch bringing in the Mets first run. It was the only run the anemic offense could muster up that inning as the next three Mets were retired.

In the top of the 3rd, Jose Reyes singled & stole second with his 11th steal of the season. 

Mike Piazza stepped up to another nice ovation & blasted a HR to left field. The Italian American Piazza gave the fans a happy moment on Italian Heritage Night giving his team a 3-1 lead. It was Piazza's 8th of the season & his first HR since May 14th.

Later in the inning with two outs, Timo Perez singled then stole second & third base. Ty Wigginton doubled to centerfield scoring Timo with the Mets fourth run.

In the bottom of the 4th, Roger Cedeno walked & advanced on Jose Reyes' ground out. Piazza then stepped in collected his second hit of the game as he singled to centerfield bringing in his third run of the night giving the Mets a 5-1 lead.

Jerome Williams was removed after giving up five runs on seven hits as Chad Zerbe came on to
pitch.

In the bottom of the 5th, Ty Wigginton walked & the pitcher Steve Trachsel doubled off the right field wall, scoring Ty giving the Mets a 6-1 Mets lead.

In the bottom of the 7th, Timo Perez reached base for the third time, drawing a walk. Ty Wigginton collected his third hit & second double of the game, his 26th of the season. 

Felipe Alou went to Matt Herges in the bullpen & his first batter "Super" Joe McEwing grounded out to short bringing in Timo Perez making it 7-1. After Steve Trachsel hit into a fielder's choice, Roger Cedeno walked & Jose Reyes singled to load the bases for Mike Piazza.

Piazza collected his third hit of the night as he singled to left field, adding two more RBI's to his Five RBI night, as Trachsel & Cedeno scored giving the Mets a 9-2 lead. 

Mike Piazza Trivia: In 2003, Piazza played in just 68 games, he collected eight multi-RBI games with tonight's five RBIs being his season high.

Steve Trachsel pitched into the 8th inning, allowing two runs on eight hits, with four strike outs & two walks earning his 11th victory (11-7) of the year.