D-Whit - It Was 45 Years Ago Today...August 31st 1969

August 31^st

Seaver wins 19th; Mets split a pair

New York closes out August with a twinbill at Candlestick against the Giants. In the opener, Tom Seaver picks up win #19 with an 11K, CG shutout, as the Mets win 8-0. Offensively, they made the most of 11 singles and Ron Swoboda’s RBI double against four Giant pitchers. In Atlanta, Chicago won by 4 over the Braves. 

The Mets entered the nightcap with a chance to trim another ½ game off the Cubs NL East lead. San Fran scored a pair in the bottom of the 1^st off Jim McAndrew but he silenced the Giant bats after that early outburst. The visiting New Yorkers tied it up in the 7^th when Cleon Jones led off with a single was driven home two batters later on Swoboda’s 6^th longball of 1969. 

In the 11^th Tug McGraw put runners on 1^st and 2^nd with none out and was relieved by Ron Taylor. After a wild pitch and intentional walk, Taylor unintentionally walked Jim Davenport to force in the winning run. The 3-2 loss dropped the Mets 4.5 back entering September. 

During August the Mets (76-54) picked up two games on division leading Chicago (83-52)-rebounding from a mediocre July with a 21-10 mark on the month. 32 games remained on the 1969 regular season schedule, including four against the Cubs.