Remembering Mets History (1991) David Cone Strikes Out 19 Batters

Sunday October 6th, 1991: On this, the last day of the 1991 season, the '91 Mets (now being managed by Mike Cubbage after the release of Bud Harrelson) had finished a disappointing 77-84 twenty- & one-half games behind the first place Pittsburgh Pirates. 

It was the teams worst finish in almost a decade, back in 1983 they were last under .500 at 68-94.

But on this day, another Mets pitcher shined & made his way into the record books.

The Mets were closing out the year at Philadelphia, in Veterans Stadium. The Phillies, managed by Jim Fregosi, had finished a game better than the Mets in third place at 78-84, twenty games back of Pittsburgh. Jim Fregosi sent Andy Ashby (1-4) to the mound to face New York's David Cone (13-14).

This was Cone's worst year up to that point in his career, since his rookie season. He was 14-14 in the win lost column, as he finished at .500. 

He was the reigning NL strike leader & would win the title again for this season. He was to finish with his third straight 14-win season, pitching 200 plus innings for the fourth straight year as well & posting a 3.29 ERA.

The Mets gave Cone run support in their first at bat. Daryl Boston led off with a triple & was brought home by Keith Miller's double. Greg Jefferies & Chris Donnel's added RBI hits to make it 3-0 Mets. 

In the Phillies 1st, Cone walked a batter but struck out the rest of the side. In the 2nd, after a Dave Hollins leadoff double, he struck out the next three batters, after six outs he had registered six K's.

In the top of the 3rd, Kevin McReynolds singled for New York, advanced on a wild pitch then scored on Gregg Jefferies single making it 4-0 Mets.

After striking out just one batter, Ken Batiste in the 3rd inning, Cone struck out the side once again in the 4th, fanning Wes Chamberlin, Dale Murphy & Dave Hollins. He now had ten strike outs through four innings.

In the top of the 5th, Keith Miller added a solo HR, making it 5-0. In the bottom of the 5th Cone struck out Ricky Jordan, after Braulio Castillo grounded out, Cone struck out Doug Lindsey for his 12th strike out. 

In the bottom of the 6th, Cone struck out the first two batters, he gave up a base hit to Mickey Morandini then struck out Wes Chamberlin for #15 on the day.

In the 7th, Cone led off with a walk & advanced on a wild pitch. He was thrown out at home when he tried to score on Darryl Boston's double. Howard Johnson then drove in Boston with an infield base hit.  Daryl Boston would add a 9th inning solo HR to make it 7-0.

Cone did not strike anyone out in the 7th inning. He entered the 8th inning with 15 strikeouts & quickly struck out center fielder Braulio Castillo & catcher Doug Lindsey, reaching 17 strike outs.

In the 9th, Cone came to the mound needing two more strike outs to tie Tom Seaver's club record of 19. Seaver set that record in April of 1970, twenty-one years earlier, against the San Diego Padres.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Cone struck out his 18th batter- Kevin Batiste. Mickey Morandini came up & got to a full count. 

Cone struck him out for #19, but catcher; Charlie O'Brien dropped the ball & had to complete a throw to first base to record the out.

The final out was a ground out by Dale Murphy, so Cone was able to tie but not break Seaver's club record of 19 strike outs. 

On the day Cone allowed no runs on three hits & walked one.