Remembering Mets History (2006) Mets Sweep the L.A. Dodgers Three Straight In the NLDS

Willie Randolph's 2006 New York Mets were in first place almost the entire season. They had won 97 games (97-650 finishing 12 games up on the Philadelphia Phillies.

The offense was led by sluggers; Carlos Beltran 41 HRs 116 RBIs / Carlos Delgado 38 HRs, 114 RBIs & David Wright had 26 HRs,114 RBIs, & a .311 batting average. 

Jose Reyes hit .300 & stole a league leading 64 bases.

But the Mets entered the post season with a depleted pitching staff. Pedro Martinez (9-8 / 4.48
ERA) was down due to injury. Then Orlando Hernandez (9-7 / 4.09 ERA) went down in a pre-game work out & was also going to miss the post season. 

New York still had their pair of 15 game winners: Tom Glavine (15-7 / 3.82 ERA) & Steve Trachsel (15-8 / 4.97 ERA. The solid bullpen was led by closer Billy Wagner (40 saves / 2.24 ERA).

2006 NLCS Game #1- Shea Stadium New York: of the NLDS opened up at Shea Stadium with a revved-up crowd of 56,979. 

Mets pitcher John Maine stepped up in the spotlight on this afternoon, going six innings allowing only a run on six hits with five strike outs. He left the game with a secure with a 4-1 lead. 

In the top of the 2nd, Maine had a bit of trouble as Jeff Kent & J.D. Drew both singled. 

Then on a most bizarre play, L.A. catcher Russell Martin singled to right field. Shawn Green picked up the ball threw to second baseman Jose Valentin who threw home to Mets catcher Paul LoDuca. 

LoDuca got the throw & tagged both runners who were trying to score behind one another. Both players were out for a very strange 9-4-2 double play. 

Then Marlon Anderson doubled & brought in the first run of the game 1-0 Dodgers.

In the home 4th, the Mets got a pair of solo HRs off pitcher, Derek Lowe. Carlos Delgado & Cliff Floyd both delivered the long balls to the delight of the Shea Faithful, giving the Mets 1 2-0 lead. 

In the home 6th, Paul Loduca & Carlos Delgado singled off Lowe. David Wright then doubled bringing both runners home, giving the Mets a 4-1 lead.

In the 6th, Mets reliever Guillermo Mota, had an easy inning of relief, including striking out JD Drew & Russell Martin.

Then in the 7th, Mota fell apart. Marlon Anderson singled, next Wilson Betemit reached on a throwing error by Jose Valentin on a fielder's choice at second. After striking out Julio Lugo, Mota gave up a single to Rafael Furcal & then a game tying double to Nomar Garciaparra.

The Mets came back after the 7th inning stretch; Dodger reliever Brad Penny walked Jose Reyes & he stole second. After Paul LoDuca flew out, Carlos Beltran also walked. Carlos Delgado then singled putting the Mets ahead for good. David Wright followed with a double, putting New York ahead 6-4.

In the 9th, A shaky Billy Wagner finished it but not without drama. Betemit doubled to start the inning. Wagner got the next two batters then pinch hitter Ramon Martinez doubled home Betemit & represented the tying run on second. Wagner struck out Nomar Garciaparra to end the game, the Mets won it 6-5, to go up 1-0 in the NLDS.

2006 NLCS Game #2- Shea Stadium New York:

Centerfieldmaz was on hand at Shea, with 57,029 fans for Game #2. Shea was filled with excitement as the Mets had a one game lead in the best of three series & got ready to face off in the second game.

Legendary Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner threw out the ceremonial first pitch, getting a big ovation from the crowd. 

Kiner had been with the Mets broadcast team since Day one of team history, in 1962.

In his first post season as a New York Met, Tom Glavine went up against Hung-Chi Kio. Glavine
stepped up with a fine performance pitching six innings as he shut out the Dodgers, allowing just four hits with two strike outs & a pair of walks.

Pedro Feliciano pitched a scoreless 7th for the Mets. It was only Aaron Heilman who allowed the Dodgers lone run. An 8th inning solo HR to Wilson Betemit.

In the home 3rd, Endy Chavez singled & advanced on a wild pitch. Tom Glavine grounded out advancing Chavez to third, he then scored the Mets first run-on Jose Reyes' ground out to short.

In the Mets 5th, Jose Valentin walked & Endy Chavez singled for his second hit of the day. Tom Glavine sacrificed Valentin over & then Jose Reyes was walked to load the bases. Bret Tomko came on for relief for the Dodgers. 

Paul LoDuca then hit a sac fly to left, giving New York it's second run 2-0.

In the home 6th, David Wright & Cliff Floyd singled knocking Brett Tomko out of the game, as Mark Hendrickson was brought in.

Jose Valentin reached on a throwing error by Hendrickson. Mets Pinch hitter, Julio Franco grounded out to short stop, but Cliff Floyd

was able to score, making it 3-0 Mets. 

A Jose Reyes' single scored then Valentin, making it 4-1 Mets which was the final. Billy Wagner came on to close it out with a 1-2-3 9th inning.  It was off to sunny Los Angeles up two games to none.

2006 NLCS Game #3: Dodger Stadium- Los Angeles, California: 

Today's pitchers were Steve Trachsel for the Mets against the Dodgers Greg Maddox. 

The Mets easily finished off the series sweep scoring nine runs as manager Willie Randolph used seven pitchers to get the job done. The Mets scored three runs out of the gate in the 1st inning. 

With one out Paul LoDuca walked & then five straight singles by Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Dvid Wright, Cliff Floyd & Shawn Green led to a 3-0 Mets lead.

In the 3rd, Cliff Floyd singled with two outs, then a Sean Green's double gave the Mets a 4-1 lead.

But the Mets pitching was not at its best today. Steve Trachsel went only into the 4th inning, allowing a pair of runs on six hits. He allowed four singled in the 4th inning, including a two run base hit by James Loney.

The bullpen was shaky as well after Trachsel left the game. In the 5th inning, Darrin Oliver served up a two run HR to Jeff Kent. Chad Bradford then gave up a base hit to Russel Martin & walked Wilson Betemit. 

Pedro Feliciano came on inheriting a bases loaded situation. He walked James Loney with the bases loaded to put the Dodgers ahead 5-4.

But the Mets came right back in the top of the 6th. Sean Green doubled & pinch hitter Michael Tucker drew a walk off Dodger reliever Jonathon Broxton. Three straight singles from Jose Reyes, Paul LoDuca & Carlos Beltran made it 7-5 Mets. 

In the 8th, the Mets got L.A. reliever Brett Tomko for two more runs, pinch hitter Chris Woodward doubled & was brought in by Paul LoDuca. After Carlos Beltran walked, Carlos Delgado reached on a Wilson Betemit error, and LoDuca scampered home for the final run. 

In the 9th, Billy Wagner struck out Russel Martin & Betemit to start the inning. After a base hit to James Loney, he closed out the Series sweep getting Ramon Martinez to foul out. 

The Mets celebrated getting to their first NLCS in six years. It was onto the NLCS to meet the St. Louis Cardinals.