Remembering Mets History (2000) NLDS Game #3: Benny Agbayani's 13th Inning Walk Off HR

- October 27, 2023

Saturday October 7th, 2000 NLDS Game #3- Shea Stadium, New York: It was a classic fall afternoon, perfect for an epic playoff game.

It all began with former Mets reliever, the great Tug McGraw throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. McGraw had been part of the Mets 1969 World Championship team & the 1973 NL Pennant winners. McGraw would pass away from brain cancer just three years later.

The Shea crowd of 56,270 was pumped up for the first home playoff game of the 2000 post season. centerfieldmaz was in attendance in the Mezzanine section after a great tailgate in the old Shea parking lot.

Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent Rick Reed (11-5 / 4.11 ERA / 121 Ks) to the mound against the Giants Russ Ortiz (14-12 / 5.01 ERA / 167 Ks).

The game began at 4:18 PM & would last five hours & twenty-two minutes, in an epic 13 inning match up. Up to that point in time, it was the longest NLDS game ever played.

The Mets would go through six pitchers on this afternoon / evening. The starter, Rick Reed went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out seven.

The Mets bullpen was fantastic, pitching seven scoreless innings. Dennis Cook (0.2 innings) Turk Wendell (1.1 innings) John Franco (a scoreless 9th) Armando Benitez (two scoreless innings 10 & 11th innings) & Rick White (two scoreless innings the 12 & 13th innings).

The Giants would go through six pitchers as well. Starter Russ Ortiz went into the 6th, allowing one run on just two hits, with four K's & four walks.

Then it was on to the bullpen of Alan Embree (0.2 innings), Dog Henry (1.2 innings one run allowed), Rob Nen 1.1 innings) Felix Rodriguez (2 innings) & Aaron Fultz.

Rick Reed would collect four strike outs thru the first three innings, giving up two hits & a walk.

In the top of the 4th inning Ellis Burks & J.T. Snow both singled. After Rich Aurilia popped up in four territory, Bobby Estalella & Marvin Benard both contributed with RBI singles, making it 2-0 Giants.

Russ Ortiz issued two walks; but held the Mets scoreless & hitless through the first five innings. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Mike Bordick drew a leadoff walk. Pinch hitter, Daryl Hamilton dropped a base hit to short right field. Then the hot hitting rookie, Timo Perez dropped a base hit into left field scoring Bordick with the Mets first run.

Trivia: Timo Perez would tie Benny Agbayani for an NLDS leading five hits. Perez had three
RBIs in the series, second to Edgardo Alfonzo’s five RBIs.

Dennis Cook & Turk Wendell shut down the Giants over the next two innings, with Wendell firing up the crowd as he stuck out J.T. Snow & Rich Aurillia.

In the bottom of the 8th, Doug Henry hit Mike Bordick with a pitch to start out the inning. Pinch hitter, Lenny Harris came up & grounded into a force play. After Timo Perez popped up for the second out, Giants manager Dusty Baker brought in reliever Rob Nen.

Lenny Harris then stole second base. Edgardo Alfonzo then doubled off Nen, to left field scoring Harris & tying the game at two, as the Shea Stadium crowd went wild.

In the top of the 9th inning, The Giants Ramon Martinez led off with a base hit. But John Franco then retired the next three Giants, striking out Barry Bonds to end the inning.

Over the next five innings, Mets relievers, John Franco, Armando Benitez & Rick White struck out eight batters, allowing no runs on four hits.

The game became a real nail bitter, as it went later into the extra innings. The crowd remained on their feet for the entire rest of the game. The Giants held the Mets down as well.

In the top of the 10th, Jeff Kent led off with a base hit. After getting the first out, Armando Benitez walked J.T. Snow intentionally. Benitez got two fly ball outs to end the inning. In the top of the 11th, he revved up the crowd by striking out the side.

In the bottom of the 11th, Mike Piazza singled & was replaced by Joe McEwing to pinch run.
Robin Ventura followed with a base hit as well. But Felix Rodriguez got Benny Agbayani to fly out, Jay Payton to strike out & after walking Todd Zeile, pinch hitter Todd Pratt flew out to end the threat.

In the top of the 13th, the Giants threatened collecting a pair of base hits. But Rick White got Barry Bonds to pop up to second base to end the inning as the fans cheered & we played on.

In the bottom of the 13th inning, Benny Agbayani connected off Aaron Fultz, blasting a walk off game winning HR over the left field wall.

Mets Trivia: It was the third Mets Walk off post season HR in team history. Lenny Dykstra 1986 NLCS- Todd Pratt 1999 NLDS. Robin Ventura's 1999 NLDS Grand slam was ruled a single since Todd Pratt didn't finish running the bases after the winning run scored.

Shea Stadium erupted with a deafening roar, in a classic post season moment. The Mets won the game 3-2, taking two games to one lead in the series. They now just needed one more win to advance to the NLCS.

Mets Trivia: In the 2000 postseason, Bobby Valentine's man Benny Agbayani would bat .320 with 16 hits 5 doubles, 10 walks & 6 RBIs with a .433 on base % & .913 OPS.