Remembering Mets History (1973) An Extra Inning Win at the Vet Gives Seaver His 17th Win

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Thursday September 13th, 1973: In the rubber game of the three-game set at Veterans Stadium, a small crowd of just 8,194 came out to see Tom Seaver take on Ken Brett.

Ken Brett was the older brother of future Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett, who was still two years away from his big-league debut. 

Ken Brett was a journeyman pitcher who pitched 14 years in the big leagues going 83-85 with 11 saves posting a 3.93 ERA. 

Brett made 349 appearances with 184 starts for the Red Sox (1967-1971) Milwaukee Brewers (1972) Phillies (1973-1975) AL New York team (1976) White Sox (1976-1977) Angels (1977-1978) Twins (1979) Dodgers (1979) & Royals with his brother George (1980 & 1981).

In the bottom of the 3rd, after pitcher Ken Brett struck out, Denny Doyle singled & Tommy Hutton doubled to bring him in for the first run. 

In the top of the 4th, the Mets answered with back-to-back singles from Cleon Jones & John Milner. With two outs Don Hahn then singled to right field, Jones scored easily. The throw home got past Bob Boone at catcher allowing Milner to score the go ahead run, as Hahn advanced to third.

In the home 6th, Mike Anderson led off with a double & scored on Larry Bowa's double tying up the game at two.

Ken Brett retired eight Mets in a row & would get his team to the 11th inning. He pitched eleven innings allowing two runs on eight hits, striking out five & walking one. George Culver came on in relief for the 12th inning.

For Tom Seaver he would pitch eleven innings as well, striking out twelve reaching double figures in K's for the sixth time of the year. Seaver gave up two runs on ten hits walking two.

In the top of the 12th, with one out Jerry Grote singled to center. Rookie Lute Barnes came in to pinch run for Grote. Don Hahn then doubled to right field for his second hit of the night. Pinch Hitter Ken Boswell was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Wayne Garrett then came on in a pinch-hitting role & continued his hot hitting driving a base hit to score Barnes from third with the go ahead run. Pitcher George Culver then threw a wild pitch allowing Hahn to score making it 4-2 Mets. All of a sudden everything was going right for Berra & the Mets.

Tug McGraw came on in the bottom of the 12th & retired the side in order ending the game with a pair of strike outs. The Mets had now won 13 of their last18 games, narrowing the gap to 2.5 games in the NL East. Tom Seaver earned his 17th win (17-9) & Tug McGraw his 20th save of the year.

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