Remembering Mets History (1969) Mets Pitchers Shut Out & Drive in Only Runs of 1-0 Twin Bill Sweep
They brought the greatest show in baseball to Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, for a double header. The Mets fans also arrived, as a large contingent came fully equipped with banners & their loud voices, invading Pittsburgh's Forbes Field. "Lets Go Mets" was the battle cry heard everywhere in 1969.
The Mets main strength in 1969 was no doubt great pitching. Not only did the Amazing's sweep the twin bill, but they also won both games on 1-0 shut outs & their pitchers drove in the winning runs in both games.
At this point the Mets were on an eight-game win streak & had taken over first place, now leading by two games. 19,303 showed up in Pittsburgh as Gil Hodges Mets (87-57) took on Larry Shepard's Pirates (76-66) in third place.
At this point the Mets were on an eight-game win streak & had taken over first place, now leading by two games. 19,303 showed up in Pittsburgh as Gil Hodges Mets (87-57) took on Larry Shepard's Pirates (76-66) in third place.
In the first game Jerry Koosman went the distance earning his 14th win of the year (14-9). Kooz would allow just three hits in this shut out performance while striking out four & walking three. His season ERA was now at 2.37. The only time he had any trouble was in the 2nd inning. Roberto Clemente singled & Koosman walked Jose Pagan. After a sacrifice by Al Oliver, Koosman walked Jerry May to load the bases.
Fred Patek grounded to third baseman Bobby Pfeil who threw home & got Roberto Clemente forced out at the plate. Kooz then struck out pitcher Bob Moose to end the inning.
He never had more than one base runner on again in the game.
In the top of the 5th Bobby Pfeil & Duffy Dyer both singled, putting two men on for Kossman. He then singled to right field bringing in Pfeil with the only run of the game. It was also the only run Koosman would drive in all year.
Trivia: Jerry Koosman was a career .119 hitter with 2 HRs 12 doubles & 46 RBIs.
In the night cap: It was the old man of the Mets staff Don Cardwell's time to shine. The 33-year-old Cardwell, who did both starting & relieving for the '69 Mets staff pitched his best game of the season on this night.
In the night cap: It was the old man of the Mets staff Don Cardwell's time to shine. The 33-year-old Cardwell, who did both starting & relieving for the '69 Mets staff pitched his best game of the season on this night.
It was a five-hit shutout, where he struck out just three but walked just one in beating Pirates hurler Doc Ellis.
His biggest strike out was getting pinch hitter Roberto Clemente with a runner on third to end the 8th inning.
Early on, in the top of the 2nd inning, Bud Harrelson doubled with two outs. Don Cardwell then singled to center easily scoring Harrelson with the game's only run. Cardwell would bat .170 on the year with a HR & five RBIs. On the mound he went to 7-9 on the season, his ERA was a fine 2.93 as well.
Trivia: In his career Don Cardwell was a fine hitting pitcher, he batted .135 with 15 HRs 10 doubles a triple & 53 RBIs in 698 at bats in 416 games over 14 seasons.
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