Remembering Mets History (1973): N.L. Champion Mets Score Season High 13 Runs

April 22nd, 1973: Yogi Berra's New York Mets (8-6) faced off against Gene Mauch's Montreal Expos (6-7) for a classic Sunday afternoon double header. A crowd of 27, 230 came out to Shea Stadium on this Easter Sunday.

In the first game, that years Cy Young Award winner, Tom Seaver went up against the Expos' John Strohmayer. Strohmayer would pitch for the Mets later in the season & again in 1974.

The Expos Ron Fairly, hit a lead off second inning HR and Strohmayer held down the Mets scoreless through the end of the 8th inning.

He was relieved by relief ace, Mike Marshall who allowed a leadoff 9th inning walk to Jim Fregosi. He then threw a wild pitch advancing him to second. Jerry Grote sacrificed Fregosi to third & pinch hitter Ken Boswell came through with a base hit tying the game. 

Newly acquired Mets relief pitcher Phil Hennigan, had his own troubles in the 10th
inning. He walked John Boccabella, then walked pinch hitter Boots Day, intentionally. After a force play, former Met infielder Tim Foli singled to right field which scored what was the winning run.

Starting Lineups

Montreal Expos

1	Pepe Frias	2B
2	Tim Foli	SS
3	Mike Jorgensen	1B
4	Ron Fairly	LF
5	Ken Singleton	RF
6	Pepe Mangual	CF
7	Coco Laboy	3B
8	John Boccabella	C
9	Steve Renko	P

New York Mets

1	Ted Martinez	SS
2	Felix Millan	2B
3	John Milner	1B
4	Rusty Staub	RF
5	Ed Kranepool	LF
6	Wayne Garrett	3B
7	Rich Chiles	CF
8	Duffy Dyer	C
9	Jim McAndrew	P



Jim McAndrew two RBIs
& Winning Pitcher

In the night cap, the Mets Jim McAndrew went up against former Met, Steve Renko. Renko was dealt to Montreal back in 1969, in the trade that brought Donn Clendenon to New York.

In the home 2nd, Ed Kranepool led off with a triple down right field. Wayne Garrett followed with a double to right, making it 1-0.

In the home 3rd inning, the Mets exploded with one of their biggest innings of the year. 

It began with a Felix Millan base hit & a walk to the Hammer; John Milner. Rusty Staub flew out to deep centerfield, advancing both runners.

Next, Ed Kranepool singled, driving in both Millan &
Milner, making it 3-0. After Garrett flew out to left, short time Mets centerfielder Rich Chiles, doubled to score Kranepool making it 4-0. It was the only RBI Chiles would have in his eight games as a Met. Steve Renko was then taken out of the game & relieved by pitcher, Pat Jarvis.

The Mets catcher Duffy Dyer drew a walk & then got picked off of first base, but the first baseman (former Met) Mike Jorgensen dropped the ball. Pitcher Jim McAndrew, then helped his own cause with a two run double of his own, making it 6-0 Mets.

Ed Kranepool drives in Four Runs

Jarvis then walked Teddy Martinez & Felix Millan. John Milner (the 12th man to bat in the inning) then singled to left field, scoring McAndrew & Martinez, making it 8-0. 

The Mets scored seven runs in the inning, with five hits & five walks, as they sent 14 men to the plate.

The Mets scored again in the 5th inning,  Teddy Martinez singled & Felix Millan walked. John Milner grounded into a force, but Rusty Staub then walked as well. 

Then, Ed Kranepool continued his big day, as he hit a two run double making it 10-0. 

Ed Kranepool would have three hits on the day,with  a triple, a double & a single with four RBIs. 

The Mets weren't done yet. In the 6th, now facing pitcher, Jim Gilbert, Jim McAndrew reached on an error at third by Bob Bailey. 

Next, Teddy Martinez singled. Kenny Boswell then hit a base hit scoring McAndrew. Next up, reserve outfielder Jim Beauchamp singled scoring Boswell & Martinez making it 13-0.

The Mets went on to win the game
13-3, as McAndrew got the win & George Stone finished it off.

The 13 runs scored, would be the most runs the 1973 Mets would score all season long, in a single game.

 They also had 16 hits on the day, and were within one & a half game of first place at that early point  in the season.

Every Met in the lineup that day had a hit, except Rusty Staub.