Remembering Mets History (1986) Dwight Gooden Defeats Nolan Ryan & The Astros In a 2-1 Duel

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Friday July 4th, 1986: On this Independence Day, the Mets hosted the Houston Astros, in what was to be an NLCS preview of that year. 

At this point in the season, Davey Johnson's first place Mets (54-21) were running away with the NL East. They held a 12.5 game lead over the Montreal Expos. 

Over in the NL West, Hal Lanier's Houston Astros (42-37) were 1.5 games behind the San Francisco Giants.

Todays, starting pitchers, were two of the best of their eras, the Mets Dwight Gooden went up against Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in front of 28,557 fans at Shea Stadium.


In the bottom of the 1st inning, Lenny Dykstra led off with a double to right field. He advanced to
third on Wally Backman's ground out. Keith Hernandez then singled up the middle & Dykstra scored with the first Mets run.

In the top of the 2nd, Kevin Bass led off with a base hit, but he was erased by Mets catcher Gary Carter, as he attempted to steal second. 

In the home 2nd, the Mets got a single from Danny Heep to lead off., then Nolan Ryan walked Howard Johnson. But Rafael Santana hit into a double play. Ryan then walked Gooden but got Dykstra to ground out.

Nolan Ryan would pitch five innings, allowing the one run on three hits. He struck out six Mets & walked three. He was relieved by Larry Andersen, who pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

In the top of the 7th, Gooden served up a HR to the dangerous Kevin Bass, trying up the game at one.

The Astros Dave Smith came on in relief the 7th inning, after a fun filled seventh inning stretch.  

The Shea fans had something to cheer about as Rafael Santana drew a leadoff walk. then Dwight Gooden sacrificed him over to second. Lenny Dykstra came through with a base hit, bringing in Santana with the lead run, making it 2-1.

In the 8th Gooden gave up a one out walk to Ty Gainey but got Denny Walling to ground into a double play. 

In the top of the 9th, Gooden got Glenn Davis to ground out then struck out Kevin Bass. He walked Phil Garner, putting the tying run on. Manager Davey Johnson stuck with him & Gooden got Craig Reynolds to ground out to Keith Hernandez unassisted to end the game.

Dwight Gooden, went the distance, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out four Astros & walking five. He went to 10-3 on the season, with a 2.58 ERA.

The Mets only had five hits on the night, with Dykstra collecting two of them, along with the game winning RBI.

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