Remembering Mets History (1986) NLCS Game #3: Dykstra Nails HR For Walk off Win
The Series was tied at one game each, after a split in Houston. Mets manager: Davey Johnson sent Ron Darling (15-6 / 2.81 ERA 184 Ks) to the mound to face Houston’s Bob Knepper (17-12 / 3.14 ERA / 145 Ks).
two RBI singles. After Bill Doran grounded out to lead off, Billy Hatcher singled & stole second base. Denny Walling then singled to right field bringing in Hatcher with the first run.
Now with Glen Davis up, Darling threw a wild pitch & then hit Davis with a pitch. He struck out Kevin Bass but gave up an RBI single to Jose Cruz making it 2-0.
It got worse for Darling in the 2nd inning, with one out he walked Craig Reynolds, after getting the pitcher Bob Knepper for the second out, Bill Doran hit a two run HR making it 4-0 Astros.
Houston's Bob Knepper rolled along, allowing one hit through the first three innings. In the 4th, the Mets got two base runners on singles by Darryl Strawberry & Keith Hernandez. But Ray Knight flew out to right to end the inning.
The HR fired up the Mets team, as Keith Hernandez gave a hard friendly shove to both Ray Knight as well as Strawberry at home plate when Straw touched the plate. The Shea crowd went into a wild 1980's frenzy.
In the top of the 9th, Bill Doran singled & was thrown out trying to steal second. Orosco walked Billy Hatcher but ended the inning striking out Denny Walling.
In the bottom of the 9th, Wally Backman led off with a bunt base hit down the first baseline. As he slid into first base, the crowd went wild & got loud.
Astro Manager, Hal Lanier argued Backman slid out of baseline to avoid tag. Home plate Umpire Frank Pulli dismissed Lanier ruling Backman safe.
Dykstra blasted Dave Smith's pitch down into the right field bullpen, ending the game in dramatic walk off fashion. Shea Stadium went wild, as did the Mets teammates who went to home plate to greet the hero of the day- Lenny Dykstra.
Quotes- Bob Murphy: "Lenny Dykstra being mobbed by his teammates".
Nails had hit, what became one of the most famous HRs in Mets history, putting New York up two games to one in the NLCS.
It got worse for Darling in the 2nd inning, with one out he walked Craig Reynolds, after getting the pitcher Bob Knepper for the second out, Bill Doran hit a two run HR making it 4-0 Astros.
Houston's Bob Knepper rolled along, allowing one hit through the first three innings. In the 4th, the Mets got two base runners on singles by Darryl Strawberry & Keith Hernandez. But Ray Knight flew out to right to end the inning.Knepper would shut out the Mets on four hits, into the 6th inning. The Shea fans were quiet just waiting for something to happen.
In the home 6th, Kevin Mitchell & Keith Hernandez singled to start the inning. Next up, Gary Carter reached on a Bill Doran error at second base, allowing Kevin Mitchell to score. The Mets first run, it was now 4-1 Astros.
The crowd began to get excited & as Darryl Strawberry came to bat. Strawberry delivered with a classic Mets moment, as he hit dramatic high flying three run HR into the right field lodge section that tied the game at four.
In the home 6th, Kevin Mitchell & Keith Hernandez singled to start the inning. Next up, Gary Carter reached on a Bill Doran error at second base, allowing Kevin Mitchell to score. The Mets first run, it was now 4-1 Astros.
The crowd began to get excited & as Darryl Strawberry came to bat. Strawberry delivered with a classic Mets moment, as he hit dramatic high flying three run HR into the right field lodge section that tied the game at four.
In the top of the 7th, Rick Aguilera came in relief of Darling. He issued a leadoff walk to Bill Doran. Billy Hatcher bunted to third base & a Ray Knight error put runners on the corners with no one out. Denny Walling then grounded out, but Bill Doran scored, putting Houston ahead 5-4. Aguilera struck out Glen Davis & Kevin Bass flew out to Mookie in center to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, Lenny Dykstra pinch hit for Rick Aguilera & struck out. Although Kevin Mitchell singled, he was left stranded on base.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, Lenny Dykstra pinch hit for Rick Aguilera & struck out. Although Kevin Mitchell singled, he was left stranded on base.
In the top of the 8th, Jesse Orosco came on to pitch, Mookie Wilson moved from center to left & Dykstra stayed in the game to play center. Orosco struck out Jose Cruz & retired the side in order.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Astros reliever; Charlie Kerfeld retired the Mets in order, setting up a save opportunity for Dave Smith.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Astros reliever; Charlie Kerfeld retired the Mets in order, setting up a save opportunity for Dave Smith.
In the bottom of the 9th, Wally Backman led off with a bunt base hit down the first baseline. As he slid into first base, the crowd went wild & got loud.
Astro Manager, Hal Lanier argued Backman slid out of baseline to avoid tag. Home plate Umpire Frank Pulli dismissed Lanier ruling Backman safe.
Next, Astros pitcher Dave Smith threw a pitch passed catcher, Alan Ashby & Backman advanced to second base.
Pinch hitter Danny Heep stepped in but flew out to center for the first out.
Now Lenny Dykstra came to bat as Mets legendary broadcaster Bob Murphy said: "the man they call Nails" stepped in. Murphy continued with an excited, classic radio call- "It's a high fly ball hit to right field, its fairly deep its way back, it's by the wall .... it's a HR a HR, the Mets win the ball game. Dykstra hits a HR"
Dykstra blasted Dave Smith's pitch down into the right field bullpen, ending the game in dramatic walk off fashion. Shea Stadium went wild, as did the Mets teammates who went to home plate to greet the hero of the day- Lenny Dykstra.Quotes- Bob Murphy: "Lenny Dykstra being mobbed by his teammates".
Nails had hit, what became one of the most famous HRs in Mets history, putting New York up two games to one in the NLCS.
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