Remembering Mets History (1965) Rob Gardner & Chris Short Both Pitch 15 scoreless Innings In Pitcher's Duel

 Saturday October 2nd, 1965: Wes Westrum's last place New York Mets (50-110) were playing in the second game of a double header against Gene Mauch's sixth place Phillies (83-76). 

Wes Westrum the former New York Giants catcher had taken over as Mets manager in late July when Casey Stengel fell & broke his hip.

In this twi-night double header, a small Shea crowd of 10,371 saw the Phil's take the first game 6-0 behind Jim Bunning's two hit shut out where he struck out ten. The win got Bunning to 19-9 on the season.

The starting pitchers in the night cap were 20 year old Mets rookie Rob Gardner & Chris Short for Philadelphia.

Gardner a native of Binghamton, NY had been brought up as a September call up going 0-2 with a 6.92 ERA thru his first four appearances, tonight would be his third start.

In the top of the 1st, Adolfo Phillips led off with a base hit. Gardner then walked Cookie Rojas but he then retired Dick Allen, struck out "Dr. Strange Glove" Dick Stuart & got Alex Johnson on a fly ball to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 1st, the Mets put two men on as Joe Christopher drew a walk & Charley Smith reached on a bunt base hit. But Jim Hickman flew out & Ron Swoboda went down on strikes to end the inning.

Rod Gardner retired the next seven batters in a row, until Adolfo Phillips reached on an error by Bud Harrelson. Gardner had Cookie Rojas who reached on a force play steal second to get into scoring position but he fanned the reigning Rookie of the Year, Dick Allen with a 3-2 count to end the inning.

Quotes- Rob Gardner: "I was almost out of the game, I thought I'm not going to walk this guy. I just threw the ball as hard as I could & he swung thru it. As I walked off the mound he just looked at me & shook his head".

Gardner then retired ten in a row into the 6th inning when Dick Allen reached on an infield single. Gardner continued his dominance as he then retired nine Phillies in a row before Dick Stuart singled in the 9th inning with two outs. Then Alex Johnson flew out to end the inning.

Chris Short was just as good on the other side, in the home third the Mets loaded the bases with a pair of doubles by Ron Hunt & Joe Christopher then an intentional walk to Jim Hickman. But Danny Napoleon struck out ending the inning.

Chris Short retired seven in a row until Jim Hickman doubled in the 6th inning but he was left stranded. Short then set down the next ten Mets in order.

In the bottom of the 9th, Greg Gossen collected a two out single & pinch hitter rookie Cleon Jones singled as well putting two on but Roy McMillan pinch hitting for Rookie Bud Harrelson struck out to end the inning.

In this this incredible pitcher's duel both pitchers pitched 15 innings of shutout baseball. In the bottom of the 11th the Mets put two on again with a base hit from Jim Hickman & a Bobby Klaus walk. Then Cleon Jones struck out to end the inning.

The Mets Rob Gardner allowed just five hits along the way, as he struck out seven & walked two. The Phillies Chris Short struck out 18 Mets along the way, allowing nine hits & three walks. Short spent 14 seasons with the Phillies winning 17 or more games four times. The following year (1966) Short won twenty games then won 19 games two seasons later.

MLB Trivia: The game marked the fifth time in MLB history that two pitchers went 15 innings allowing one run or less. It was also the last time it was done.

In the 16th inning Darrell Sutherland came on for the Mets & threw two scoreless innings allowing just one hit & walking one. Dennis Ribant followed with a scoreless 18th. The Phil's sent Gary Wagner & Jack Baldschun to the mound, both pitchers also held down the Mets through the next three innings.

At around 1:00, after four hours & twenty minutes of play, the umpires decided to call the game ending in a scoreless tie, since it meant nothing in the standings & everyone was just exhausted.

Rob Gardner Trivia: Rob would pitch two seasons for the Mets (1965-1966) going 9-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 23 games, 15 starts. Rob would pitch in the majors for eight seasons, battling injuries with the Cubs (1967) Indians (1969) the A.L. New York team (1970 / 1971-1972) the A's (1971 & 1973) & Brewers (1973) going 14-18 with two saves & a 4.35 ERA. 

The Mets lost the next two games closing out the year losing four of five with the tie sandwiched in the middle.

Mets Trivia: That season Bud Harrelson, Ron Swoboda & Tug McGraw were all in their first season, with Cleon Jones being in his second season. These four players would all be key figures in the 1969 Mets Championship season.