Remembering Mets History (1970) Gary Gentry Throws A One Hitter At Wrigley Field

Wednesday May 13th, 1970: A small crowd of just over 9,000 came out to Wrigley Field in Chicago for a usual day game. Leo Durocher's first place Cubs (16-13), hosted Gil Hodges reigning World Champion New York Mets (16-16). At the time the two teams were rivals.

The starting pitchers were, New Jersey born, Bill Hands (5-1) facing off against the Mets youngster, Gary Gentry. Gentry was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA entering the game.  

In the 1969 Championship season, the rookie Gentry was impressive, but took a back seat on a staff that featured Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman & Nolan Ryan. 

Gentry had a fine year & a fine post season as well. In a four-year Mets career, Gentry had some fine outings, today being one of them, as he pitched one of his two one hitters.

Gary Gentry retired the Cubs in order in the first two innings. In the 3rd, he struck out the side,
fanning Jimmie Hall, Jack Hiatt & pitcher Bill Hands.

 In the 4th, he struck out the leadoff batter, short stop Don Kessinger. Gentry got Glen Beckert to fly out, then ended the inning by striking out Hall of Famer, Billy Williams.

In the 5th, Gentry issued his only walk of the day, a lead off base on balls to Ron Santo. But he then got Johnny Callison to ground into a double play. He then retired Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks on a ground out to end the inning.

Gentry retired the side in order in the 6th, ending the inning by fanning Hands. The no hitter was looming as Gentry took the mound for the 7th inning. He got Kessinger to ground out for the first out. Glen Beckert then popped out to Shamsky in right. Billy Williams then popped out to end the inning.

In the 8th inning, the no hitter tension filled the air, Gentry got Santo to fly out for the first out. Next, Callison flew out to right for the second out. 

Then, Ernie Banks stepped in & looped a fly ball to left field. Mets outfielder, Dave Marshall could not catch up to it, as the ball dropped in for a base hit. The first hit of the game. Gentry had lost his no hitter. 

Gentry got Jimmie Hall to fly out Agee in center, for the third out. In the 9th inning, Jack Hiatt flew out for the first Cub out. Gentry then hit pinch hitter, Willie Smith with a pitch. But he got Kessinger to pop up to Bud Harrelson & Beckert to fly out to right to end the game. 

Gary Gentry pitched the one hit complete game shutout, striking out seven while walking one for his fourth win of the year. He lowered his ERA to 1.71.

Trivia: This was the fifth one hitter thrown in Mets history. Nolan Ryan had just tossed a one
hitter in April. In just two days, Tom Seaver would throw his second career one hitter. As for Gentry, he would pitch another one hitter for the Mets in 1971.

In the 1970 season, Gary Gentry went 9-9 with a 3.68 ERA. He struck out 134 batters & walked 86 in 188 innings pitched. In 35 appearances he had five complete games & threw two shut outs.

As for the Mets offense, in the 1st inning, Bill Hands took struck out the Mets in order. The Mets got two base runners in the 2nd, but Jerry Grote struck out to end the inning.

In the 4th inning, with one out Art Shamsky hit his 4th HR of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall. 

In the Mets 5th, Wayne Garrett led off with a double to left field. Jerry Grote flew out to center & Garrett tagging to third base. Next the pitcher, Gentry helped his own cause by delivering a base hit to leftfield, scoring Garrett with the Mets second run 2-0. 

In the 7th, the Mets Mike Jorgensen led off with a walk. Garrett then tripled to centerfield, scoring Jorgensen with the Mets third run. Jerry Grote then singled to make it 4-0 Mets.