Remembering Mets History (1973) Jerry Koosman Shuts Out the Giants for Ten Innings In a 1-0 Win

Friday August 24th, 1973: Although the Mets were coming off a loss, they had taken two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers & with two walk off wins. They came into tonight's game eleven games below .500 at 57-68 but just 6.5 games out of first place.

Charlie Fox's San Francisco Giants were in town for a weekend series. The Giants just 15 years removed from New York were still drawing big crowds when they came to New York, although not as big when Willie Mays was still a Giant. Tonight 35,361 came to Shea Stadium for the Mets Giants match up.

The Giants (70-55) were in third place eight games behind the Dodgers in a tough NL West.

Tonight's pitching matchup was future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal (10-9) for the Giants & Jerry Koosman (9-14) for the Mets. Marichal's 16-year career was winding down as this would be his final season in San Francisco as his contract would be purchased by the Boston Red Sox.

Jerry Koosman was coming off a big win over the Reds where he allowed just an earned run in a 2-1 win over Ross Grimsley. But prior to that Koosman had lost five straight & eight of nine. 

But Koosman would win six of his final seven decisions while setting a Mets record that would stand for 39 years with 32.2 consecutive scoreless innings. 

After a 1-2-3 first inning, Koosman gave up a pair of hits in the 2nd inning but got out of the inning. 

In the 4th Koosman allowed a single to Bobby Bonds then picked him off first base. Willie McCovey then drew a walk & Gary Maddox doubled. Chris Speier was intentionally walked to load the bases. Koosman then got Mike Phillips to pop up & Dave Radar to line out to Cleon Jones in left field.

In the 7th, after Koosman had retired six straight, Mike Phillips led off with a base hit then was caught stealing as Jerry Grote gunned him down. Koosman then retired the next five batters to get to the 9th inning.

In the top of the 9th, Willie McCovey led off with a base hit then was forced at second on a Gary Maddox ground out. Maddox attempted a steal of second & was thrown out by Jerry Grote. 

In the 10th inning, after a leadoff walk to Dave Rader
Koosman retired the next three batters.

The Mets left two men on in the 4th, 5th & 8th innings. In the 8th Cleon Jones lined out ending inning in a double play.

In the bottom of the 10th inning Juan Marichal was still on the mound as well. Yogi Berra sent Ken Boswell in to pinch hit. 

Boswell delivered again with a base hit to right field. Willie Mays then sacrificed Boswell over to second base. Felix Millan then singled to right field, scoring Boswell with the walk off run. 

Trivia: Millan led the team with 185 hits & a .290 batting average. His 155 singles were second most in the NL.

For Jerry Koosman, starting with his win in Cincinnati his scoreless streak began as he shut out the Reds in the final 4.2 innings. Tonight, he added ten more scoreless innings to get to 14.2 scoreless innings. The streak will continue.