Remembering Mets History (1986) NLCS Game #6- Mets Beat Houston In 16 Inning Epic to Win Pennant

Wednesday October 15th, 1986 - NLCS Game #6 - Houston Astrodome: 

Game six began in the late afternoon New York time with Davey Johnson's Mets up three games to two over Hal Lanier's Astros. 

The game would end four hours and forty-five minutes later in one of the greatest post season games ever. This epic began with New York's Bobby Ojeda facing off against Houston's Bob Knepper. 

The Astros ace; Mike Scott was already 2-0 in the Series & he was looming to start for Game Seven. The Mets bats had been baffled by Scott's split finger fastball, a fairly new pitch that had only been around a few years at the time. It was a big game for both teams.

In the bottom of the 1st, Bobby Ojeda got roughed up for three runs on four hits & a walk. Bill Doran led off with a base hit & scored on Phil Garner's double. Then, Glen Davis singled bringing in Garner with the second run. Bobby Ojeda next walked Kevin Bass, Jose Cruz then singled bringing in Davis, making it a quick 3-0 Astros to the delight of the Astrodome crowd. Kevin Bass attempted to steal home but was tagged out by Ojeda on what turned out to be a huge play. Ojeda settled down retiring ten in a row. In the 5th, he walked Bob Knepper & gave up a single to Billy Hatcher. But Billy Doran who had reached on a force play, was thrown out at third base to end the inning. Ojeda would pitch five innings, allowing three runs on five hits, issuing two walks & two strike outs. Mets reliever Rick Aguilera came on to throw three scoreless innings, getting to the 8th inning with the Mets were still down 3-0 by the 9th inning.  Houston’s Bob Knepper was outstanding, from the 3rd inning on he retired 14 Mets in a row into the 8th inning. Tim Teufel singled with one out, but Rafael Santana then grounded into a double play to end the inning. For Ojeda he pitched through eight innings, shutting out New York allowing just two hits with six strike outs & a walk. But in the top of the 9th with the Astrodome on their feet awaiting a celebration, the Mets bats woke up.  Pinch hitter Lenny Dykstra sparked the team with a leadoff triple to center. He quickly was brought home as the next batter, Mookie Wilson singled to right. Kevin Mitchell grounded out, but the Mets most clutch hitter, Keith Hernandez doubled to center field, scoring Mookie & bringing the Mets to within a run, now down 3-2.  Houston’s manager Hal Lanier, brought in reliever Dave Smith who quickly got in trouble. He walked Gary Carter & Darryl Strawberry to load the bases. Ray Knight then hit a sac fly to right scoring Hernandez to tie the game. The city of Houston went silent, but New York was just waking up. In the bottom of the 9th, Davey Johnson made a lot of moves, he put Wally Backman at second & Kevin Elster at short. Mookie Wilson moved from center to left field & Lenny Dykstra came in to play center. Davey brought Roger McDowell in to pitch. Roger McDowell retired ten straight batters getting into the 12th inning. Kevin Bass singled but was thrown out at trying to steal once again. Overall McDowell pitched five shutout innings allowing only one hit along the way in a stellar relief performance. Houston's Larry Andersen matched him with three relief shutout innings as well. In the 14th, Aurelio Lopez came in to pitch for the Astros. Gary Carter led off with a single, then Darryl Strawberry walked. Ray Knight attempted a sac bunt, Carter got thrown out at third base but Straw reached second. Wally Backman then singled to right field scoring Strawberry putting the Mets ahead in what looked like it could be the game winning hit.  But in this epic game, the Astros like the Mets would not go quietly. Houston came right back, with Jesse Orosco now pitching for the Mets, Billy Hatcher blasted a one out HR tying up the game again in a wild crazy scene at the Astrodome. Gary Carter hit a two out single but was then thrown out advancing to third by catcher Alan Ashby. In the bottom of the 15th, Orosco struck out Kevin Bass & Jose Cruz. Alan Ashby then grounded to second to end the inning. In the top of the 16th with a depleted Astro bullpen, Aurelio Lopez came out & started the inning. Darryl Strawberry hit a leadoff double to center field. Ray Knight then delivered with a single to right field, scoring Strawberry putting the Mets ahead 5-4. Jeff Calhoun was brought in to pitch for Houston. With Wally Backman up, Calhoun threw a wild pitch advancing Knight to third. Next Jesse Orosco having to bat, came to the plate. Calhoun threw another wild pitch & Ray Knight scored making it 6-4 Mets.  Orosco then bunted Backman over to third base. Lenny Dykstra then singled to right field bringing home Backman with the Mets seventh run. Mookie Wilson grounded into an inning ending double play. with the Mets ahead 7-4. Davey Johnson stuck with his relief ace Jesse Orosco through another intense drama filled bottom of the 16th.  Craig Reynolds struck out to start out the inning, but then veteran Davey Lopes, pinch hitting drew a walk. Bill Doran then singled putting two men on & sending the tying run to the plate. Billy Hatcher struck again, with a single to center field driving in Davey Lopes making it 7-5. Denny Walling then grounded out for out number two.  But the Astros refused to go quietly, Glenn Davis then singled as well bringing home Doran to bring Houston to within one run, it was now 7-6 Mets.  Next up was the dangerous Kevin Bass who kept fouling off Orosco’s curve balls. In a now famous conversation, first baseman, Keith Hernandez visited the mound & told Orosco if he threw another curveball they were going to fight.  Orosco agreed, he reared back & struck out Bass for the final out. The 1986 New York Mets won the National League pennant. It was the clubs first World Series appearance since 1973, thirteen years earlier. New York City had come to a stop the past few hours following the excitement of the game, and now it celebrated and went wild. They advanced to the World Series for the third time in their history to face the Boston Red Sox. Game Six of the NLCS is still considered one of the best baseball games ever played. Quotes- Ron Darling on Game Six of the NLCS & World Series: " The Red Sox one was lucky, the Houston one was earned. You know 30 years past it, it could easily have been the Red Sox who were celebrating all year. We were lucky in that sixth game. But not the Houston game. We won that game".