Remembering Mets History (2006) Carlos Beltran Hits His Third Grand Slam Of the Month

Sunday July 30th, 2006: Willie Randolph's first place Mets (63-41) were rolling along on a four-game win streak and a comfortable 13 ½ game lead over the second place Philadelphia Phillies.

That season they also enjoyed beating up on Bobby Cox's Atlanta Braves (48-56) and on this night came up with a 10-6 win over their rivals at Turner Field.

Mets outfielder, Carlos Beltran hit two HRs on the night, the first came in the 2nd inning, with the Mets already up 3-0, after a Carlos Delgado two run HR.

In the 2nd inning, Mets pitcher Tom Glavine & Jose Reyes both singled. Paul LoDuca then walked, bringing up Beltran with the bases loaded. Carlos then blasted his 31st HR of the year, aa grand slam off pitcher, Chris Shiell. It was Beltran's third grand slam of the month tying an MLB record. 

The Mets as a team, belted out six grand slams in the month of July which also set a record. 

Later that night, Beltran hit his 32nd HR of the year, setting a Met centerfielder season HR mark. Beltran would earn the NL Player of the Month Award, hitting ten HRs, with three grand slams while driving in twenty runs. 

The previous night, Beltran had hit two HRs, driving in five runs as the Mets pounded the Braves 11-3. 

Sunday, July 16th, 2006: In a wild game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Mets (55-37) took on Dusty Baker's last place Cubs (35-56). The Mets enjoyed their best inning of the season putting up 11 runs in the 6th inning.

In the top of the 6th, the Mets were trailing the Cubs 5-2. With one out Carlos Beltran reached on an error, Carlos Delgado & David Wright followed with singles. Cliff Floyd then launched a grand slam HR off Sean Marshall putting the Mets ahead. 

Mets outfielder, Xavier Nady walked & Ramon Castro reached on an error. Then Endy Chavez brought in Nady making it 7-5. Jose Valentin & Chris Woodward reached base safely, loading the bases for Beltran.

Beltran who had led off the inning & already scored, connected with what was his first grand slam of the month, his 26th HR of the year, it came off pitcher Roberto Novoa. The Mets weren't finished yet, Carlos Delgado doubled & then David Wright connected for his 21st HR of the year, capping off the eleven-run inning. The Mets went on to a 13-7 win.

Tuesday, July 18th, 2006: The Mets Road trip had moved to the Great American Ballpark at
Cincinnati Ohio. Willie Randolph's Mets (56-37) took on Jerry Narron's second place Reds (49-45).

Mets Rookie Mike Pelfrey was making just his second start after beating the Florida Marlins in his debut ten days earlier.

Pelfrey had gotten to thru six innings allowing just two runs, in the top of the 7th inning the Mets had a 3-2 lead when they broke it open.
Xavier Nady singled & Jose Valentin bunted also reaching safely. With two outs Paul LoDuca walked bringing up the hot hitting Carlos Beltran facing Eric Milton.

Carlos blasted his second grand slam in two games, his second of the month giving the Mets a 7-2 lead. It was his 27th HR of the season as well. 

In the top of the 9th, he would double in Jose Reyes with his fifth RBI of the night, giving him 78 on the season. The Mets went on to an 8-3 win.

Beltran ended the 2006 season with 41 HRs (tying a Mets season record held by Todd Hundley) 116 RBIs, 38 doubles and batted .275. 

Beltran would hit two more Mets grand slam HRs in his career, the next in 2008 off the Marlins Kelvin Gregg & another in 2011 off the Tigers Daniel Schlereth. In his career Beltran hit 11 grand slam HRs.