Remembering Mets History (1996): John Franco Earns 300th Save

Monday April 29, 1996: Dallas Green was still heading the New York Mets at this point, but would not last the season, as he would be replaced & the Bobby Valentine era would begin.

On this day the Mets (11-13) took on a Felipe Alou's very good Montreal Expo team (17-9) that would finish second in a period still without a wild card.

It was a milestone day for Mets reliever John Franco. The New York born pitcher became the first left handed reliever to record 300 saves.

Starting Lineups

Montreal Expos

1	Mark Grudzielanek	SS
2	Mike Lansing	2B
3	Henry Rodriguez	LF
4	Moises Alou	RF
5	David Segui	1B
6	Darrin Fletcher	C
7	F.P. Santangelo	CF
8	Shane Andrews	3B
9	Jeff Fassero	P

New York Mets

1	Lance Johnson	CF
2	Bernard Gilkey	LF
3	Butch Huskey	1B
4	Chris Jones	RF
5	Todd Hundley	C
6	Jeff Kent	3B
7	Edgardo Alfonzo	2B
8	Rey Ordonez	SS
9	Pete Harnisch	P

In the home 3rd, Rey Ordonez doubled & was brought in by Mets All Star, Lance Johnson. 

After the Expos tied it, a Lance Johnson ground out scored Edgardo Alfonzo to put the Mets ahead 2-1. Jeff Kent doubled in another run putting the Mets ahead 3-1.
In the 8th, Mets relievers Doug Henry & Bob Macdonald surrendered a run to bring the game with in one. Henry gave up back to back singles & then a ground out by Henry Rodriguez scored the run. A typical small ball game was underway.

That set the stage for Franco, who came on in the 9th inning. He struck out Darin Fletcher & then surrendered a base hit to F.P. Santagello. He struck out Shane Andrews & then got Sherman Obando to fly out to end the game.

It was Franco's his fifth save of the year, and #300 of his career, the most ever by a left hander.

Pete Harnish got the win, Lance Johnson led the offensive attack with two hits and two RBIs.

The Brooklyn born John Franco would pitch in 51 games in 1996, going 4-3 with 28 saves and a solid 1.83 ERA. He would become the All Time Mets leader in saves with 276, and retire third on the All Time list with 424 saves. He is still first among left handed relievers.