Remembering Mets History (1999) Mike Piazza Blasts Rocket HR Off Roger Clemens In Subway Series

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Sunday June 6th, 1999: In the wake of the Mets front office firing three of Bobby Valentine's coaches the Mets answered back. The team had lost eight in a row & were at their worst point. Bobby Valentine even told the media "I believe in the next 55 games, if we're not better, I shouldn't be the manager".

The Mets went on that evening on Nation TV & beat their cross town A.L. New York rivals. Then went on to win forty of those next 55 games, tying for a wild card spot. Then they beat the Reds in Cincinnati in a one game playoff, defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS & went to six games of the NLCS before getting defeated by the Atlanta Braves.

In this subway series matchup, the Mets Mike Piazza continued his dominance against known steroid user Roger Clemens. Piazza would bat .421 vs. Clemens with 4 HRs a double & 10 RBIs against him in 19 at bats over eight games.

Tonight, Al Leiter (2-5) would go up against Joe Torre's A.L. Team.


After an uneventful 1st inning, the Mets attacked in the top of the 2nd. Mike Piazza led off with a double to center. Robin Ventura blooped a single to right & then Brian McRae drew a walk to load the bases. Bobby Bonilla then hit a ground rule double, bringing in Piazza & Ventura making it 2-0. 

Benny Agbayani singled to right field scoring in McRae & Bonilla for a 4-0 Mets lead.

In the top of the 3rd, Jon Olerud singled to right field to start the inning. Then Mike Piazza stepped in & launched a tremendous HR putting the Mets up 6-0. The two-run blast was Piazza's tenth HR of the year.

The inning continued as did the bleeding for Roger Clemens. Robin Ventura singled & came around to score on Benny Agbayani's second hit of the game making it 7-0 Mets.

For the Mets Al Leiter would go seven innings allowing just a run on four hits, he struck out just two & walked three. Amando Benitez came on & gave up a run while striking out two in the inning & Dennis Cook closed it out with a scoreless 9th. The drama of the subway series & Mike Piazza vs Roger Clemens was just beginning. 


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