Remembering Mets History (1999) NLDS Game #1 - Fonzie's Grand Slam Wins It

Tuesday October 5th, 1999: NLDS Game #1 at Bank One Ball Park- Phoenix, Arizona.

The 1999 New York Mets (97-66) won the NL Wild Card spot under manager Bobby Valentine. The Mets had beaten the Cincinnati Reds the previous day to determine the wild card winner in a tie breaker, winner take all contest.

For the Mets it was their third game in three different cities in the past 72 hours. They had just played four must win do or die games as well.

It was the club's first playoff appearance since 1988, eleven years earlier. 

The Mets opponents in the Division Series was the first place Western Division Champion; Arizona Diamondbacks (100-62) headed by manager Buck Showalter. They were the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in just the franchise's second season.

Game One of the series opened up at "the BOB" in front of 49,584. 

The Mets sent Masato Yoshi (12-8 / 4.40 ERA) to the mound against that year's Cy Young Award winner; Randy Johnson (17-9 / with the league's best 2.48 ERA & 364 Ks).

In the top of 1st inning, Edgardo Alfonzo put the Mets on the board with a solo HR. 

In the top of the 3rd, Rickey Henderson led off with a walk. & stole second base. After Randy Johnson struck out Edgardo Alfonzo, John Olerud delivered with a two run HR, making it 3-0 Mets.

Masato Yoshi gave up a hit in each of the first two innings but held Arizona scoreless. In the bottom of the 3rd, Tony Womack triples& scored on Jay Bell's sac fly.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Mets Robin Ventura doubled, then centerfielder, Shawon Dunston scraped out an infield single to third base. Ventura was not able to score. 

With two on, Kaz Matsui grounded out for the first out. Rey Ordonez then bunted back to the pitcher; Ventura was able to score giving New York a 4-1 lead.

In the 4th, the Diamondbacks got a run from a solo HR by Erubiel Durazo. In the 6th, Jay Bell
singled & Luis Gonzalez hit a two run HR off Masato Yoshi to tie the game at four. 

Mets manager Bobby Valentine took out Yoshi & brought in Dennis Cook. Yoshi pitched 5.1 innings giving up four runs on six hits. He struck out tree & walked no one.

Dennis Cook would pitch to the 7th inning, holding down Arizona to just one hit. Turk Wendell came on in the 8th & issued a one out walk but got Matt Williams to ground into a double play to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th, Randy Johnson was still pitching for Arizona. Robin Ventura led off with a single to right field. Roger Cedeno then popped out for the first out. Next, Rey Ordonez singled to left field & Johnson walked Melvin Mora to load the bases loaded.

Manager Buck Showalter removed his ace & brought in Bobby Chouinard. 

Rickey Henderson hit a ground ball to third base, that Matt Williams made a diving stop & still got the force out at home. Next Edgardo Alfonzo stepped up & got the count to 3-1. Alfonzo then blasted a grand slam HR, just inside the left field foul pole putting the Mets up for good 8-4.

Quotes- Edgardo Alfonzo: "I didn't know if it was a foul or fair ball. I was waiting, they said it was fair".

Randy Johnson took the loss, going 8.1 innings, getting charged with seven runs on eight hits. He did strike out 11 & walked three. 

It was his sixth post season loss & his fifth consecutive loss, tying him with Joe Bush & Doyle Alexander.

Armando Benitez came on in the 9th & retired the side in order as the Mets took the first game.