Remembering Mets History (2022) Mets Retire Keith Hernandez #17 & Get a Walk Off Win on Marlin Errors

Saturday July 9th, 2022: On this memorable day in Mets history a crowd of 43,336 came out to see the team retired Keith Hernandez's uniform number 17. In a touching pregame ceremony the Mets raided #17 up high at Citi Field to stand forever with the teams all time legends.

An emotional Hernandez was surrounded by his daughters, grandchildren & his brother. Former Mets Mike Piazza, Mookie Wilson, Ron Darling, Tim Teufel & Ed Lynch were also on hand to honor "Mex".

Quotes- Keith Hernandez: "This is a great moment for me. I never dreamed I'd be here this long,
in the organization. I am absolutely humbled & proud that my number will be up in the rafters for eternity along with Gil, Tom, Mike & Jerry".

Hernandez was greeted by current Marlin's manager Don Mattingly who also spent the 1908's in New York playing first base across town. Keith threw out today's ceremonial first pitch as well. 

In today's game, Buck Showalter's first place Mets (52-32) were twenty games over .500 with a 2.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves. This afternoon they hosted Don Mattingly's Florida Marlins (40-42) as Carlos Carrasco (9-4) took on Braxton Garrett (1-3).

The game was scoreless until the 4th inning when the NL leading HR hitter Pete Alonso hit his 23rd HR of the year giving the Mets a 1-0 lead. It was also Alonzo's 70th RBI of the season. Alonso had just shaved off his beard but left a moustache on in honor of Keith Hernandez.

Carlos Carrasco shut out the Marlins through five but ran out of gas in the 6th. After getting the first out, Jesus Aguilar & Avisal Garcia both singled & he walked Jesus Sanchez. Mets skipper Buck Showalter went to Brian Anderson who gave up a double to center. 

Aguilar scored but Sanchez was thrown out at home trying to score as Brandon Nimmo threw a relay to Luis Guillorme who fired a spectacular throw to home to James McCann at the plate. McCann was injured on the play after just coming off the IL & would miss almost another month of action, he was replaced by Tomas Nido.

Seth Lugo came on & threw a wild pitch allowing the second run to score.

In the home 6th, Tomas Nido led off with a base hit. After Braxton Garrett recorded the next two outs, Francisco Lindor put the Mets ahead with a two run HR down the left field line. It was his 60th RBI but just his 15th HR & he was batting a meek .240.

In the top of the 7th, with Jon Berti on second, home plate umpire called a second strike on the Marlins Garrett Cooper on a close call. After he made the third out of the inning, he argued the call & was ejected as was his manager Don Mattingly.

Once again, the Mets bullpen couldn't hold a lead as Adam Ottavino served up a game tying HR to Jesus Aguilar in the top of the 8th. With two outs short time Met, Ender Inciarte made a catch against the right field wall for the third out.

The game went to extra innings, with the inherited runner on second base, Mets reliever Colin Holderman gave up a base hit to the speedy Jon Berti that got passed Francisco Lindor. Mark Canha threw to third wide of Eduardo Escobar & Billy Hamilton scored putting the Marlins ahead.

In the bottom of the 10th, Marlin reliever Tanner Scott struck out Eduardo Escobar & Luis Guillorme. But with two outs Tomas Nido hit a grounder down the third base line that Brian Anderson couldn't handle & turned into a double scoring the inherited runner Mark Canha to tie the game. 

Brandon Nimmo Hit a comebacker to the mound that Tanner Scott bobbled then threw away, wide of first base, allowing the winning run to score.