Game 1
1975 CIN 10 1969 NYN 3
It is all Reds in this one as Ken Griffey (Sr.) leads the way with a 4 for 5 night, including a double and 3 runs scored. Joe Morgan goes 2 for 3 with a double and 2 walks. The Reds lineup is incredible with the first SIX batters being Hall of Famers or guys who arguably should be in the HOF or close:
Griffey, Morgan, Rose, Foster, Bench and Tony Perez
Jack Billingham pitched a solid 8 innings for the win, allowing only 2 earned runs and 5 hits, as he is now 1-0 on the season. Gary Gentry did not have it today, giving up 9 runs in 4 1/3 while walking four. He is now 0-2 on the season. Tony Perez hit his 2d HR of the year for the Reds.
Game 2
1969 NYN 5 1975 CIN 4 (12 innings)
An instant classic as the Mets win a thriller in the bottom of the 12th when Art Shamsky hit a two out solo HR to RF off lefty reliever Wil McEnaney to win it for the Mets. Shamsky came in to the game as a pinch hitter in the 7th and went 2 for 3.
The Mets took an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Donn Clendenon and Tommie Agee off Reds starter Fred Norman. Cincy stormed back with a 4 run third to take the lead, as they sent 10 batters to the plate. Joe Morgan, Dan Driessen, Pete Rose and Cesar Geronimo drove in the runs, against Mets
starter Jim McAndrew. The Mets came back to tie it in the 4th. Ken Boswell's ground out made it 4-3 and then a wild pitch by Norman allowed McAndrew to come home from third with the tying run. The game stayed tied into extra innings as Mets relievers Ron Taylor and Nolan Ryan shut down the Reds (combined 4 1/3, 2 H, 0 R) while Cincy relievers Pedro Borbon, Rawly Eastwick and Clay Carroll combined for 5 innings of 1 hit shutout ball. McEnaney (0-1) took the loss. Tug McGraw (1-0) pitched a scoreless 12th to get the win for the Mets as they even the series.
Game 3
1969 NYN 3 1975 CIN 2
Another great game as the Mets again rally to win it, this time with 3 in the 7th. Trailing 2-0 against Reds starter and loser Gary Nolan (1-2, 3.32), the Mets send 7 batters to the plate in the 7th. The rally started with 2out and no one on base. Jerry Grote started things with a single to center. Bud Harrelson then lined a single in the hole between 1st and second sending
Grote to 3d. With Mets starter and eventual winner Tom Seaver (1-2, 5.87) due up, Manager Raylesberg called on Rod Gaspar to pinch hit. Gaspar came through - big time - as he lined one down the left field line for a triple as Grote and Harrelson raced home to tie the game! Up came Tommie Agee and he came through with a liner over third for a single, scoring Gaspar and
giving the Mets the lead!
Tug McGraw came on in relief and held the Reds scoreless for 1 2/3 before getting into trouble in the 9th. With 2 out and no one on, pinch hitter Doug Flynn drew a walk. Dave Concepcion then doubled down the right field line. And suddenly the Reds had 2d and 3d with 2 out with the tying run at 3rd and the go ahead run at second. McGraw appeared to be tiring so Raylesberg went to the pen again and brought in lefty Jack DiLauro to face the lefty swinging Griffey DiLauro came through as he got Griffey to ground out to second and secure the win, with his first save of the season.
The Mets are now 4-5, in a three team tie for second in the Federal Division
of the National League. Next, the Amazins will play the division leading
1977 Philadelphia Phillies in a big series at Shea. The Reds are also 4-5,
in that three way tie as they will next host the 69 Cubs (last in the
Federal Division with a 3-6 record).
--submitted by Alan Raylesburg--
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