Remembering Mets History (1986) Gooden K's Ten As Mets Win Fourth Straight

Wednesday May 28th, 1986: A night after the big Ray Knight- Tom Niedenfuer fight, a big Shea crowd of 41,032 including centerfieldmaz in the field box seats, was on hand to cheer on the Mets & give verbally to the Dodgers.

The Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was vocal in the press on how rowdy the fans were at Shea the previous night mentioning someone had even thrown a quarter at him from the stands. This only enticed the crowd even more. 

The Mets were now 28-11 with a 5.5 game lead over the Montreal Expos. The Dodgers 22-24 were struggling in fifth place five games behind Houston. The Mets were on a three game win streak, winners of six of their last eight games.

Tonight Dwight Gooden got the start for the Mets. After winning his first five games of the season, Gooden had lost his last two decisions, posting a 4.76 ERA in his last three starts. 

The press kept asking what's wrong with Gooden? He's not his usual self. It was very hard for Gooden to live up to his amazing 1985 season, one of the best seasons any pitcher ever had.

Dwight Gooden retired the first twelve batters of the game, striking out six & only falling behind on just four batters. Gooden carried a perfect game thru the first four innings.

In the bottom of the 4th, with two outs Gary Carter hit his eighth HR of the season, a solo shot over the left field fence. The Shea fans cheered him on as "the Kid" came out for a curtain call.

In the top of the 5th, the Dodgers Mike Marshall blooped a single to right field, spoiling Gooden's perfection so far. Right fielder Kevin Mitchell broke the wrong way on the ball, misplaying allowing it to drop in. Gooden then retired the next three batters striking out Franklin Stubbs to end the inning with his seventh of the game. In the top of the 6th, Mariano Duncan tied the game with a lead off HR. It was his first hit off Gooden after going 0-15.

In the bottom of the 6th, Mookie Wilson led off with a double down the left field line. Ed Vande Berg came on to pitch, while trying to pick off Mookie his error led Mookie to taking third base. Next Kevin Mitchell made good on his earlier misplayed fly ball, as he connected for a two run HR to left field, putting the Mets back on top 3-1.

Keith Hernandez singled & Gary Carter drew a walk, After George Foster flew out, Ray Knight the big fighter from last nights game, dropped a base hit into short center field scoring Hernandez with the Mets fourth & final run.

After the run scored, Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda brought in Tom Niedenfuer, the man who threw at Ray Knight the previous night after George Fosters HR, inciting Knight to charge the mound & start the bench clearing brawl. The Shea crowd really let Niedenfuer have it, as well as Lasorda too on his way to & from the dugout.

In the top of the 7th, the Dodgers put two men on with a single from Bill Madlock & a two out walk to Greg Brock. Gooden then struck out Franklin Stubbs for the second time of the night, with his ninth strike out.

In the top of the 8th the Dodgers tacked on a run on Steve Sax HR. In the bottom frame, the Mets put two men on with walks from Ken Howell but failed to score when Ray Knight flew out to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th, after Bill Madlock flew out Gooden struck out Mike Marshall for the third time on the night. For Gooden it was his tenth K of the night, his second double digit strike out game of the year, his last coming over a month ago on April 19th vs the Phillies.

Quotes- Manager Davey Johnson: "His control faltered in the late innings but it was his game. He needed to finish the game. I would never have forgiven myself if I'd yanked him after what's been written about him."