September 21st
Cardwell goes distance as Met sweep doubleheader vs. Pittsburgh |
The Mets play their sixth doubleheader of the month-only one was
originally scheduled. In game one, Jerry Koosman squared off against Dock Ellis
in front of 55,901 Shea faithful. Matty
Alou doubled to lead off the game and Willie Stargell singled him home two
batters later, 1-0 Bucs. The Mets tied
in the 2nd on Duffy Dyer’s groundout RBI.
New York took the lead in the 3rd. Back to back
singles by Ken Boswell and Ed Kranepool was followed by an error on SS Freddie
Patek-loading the bases. Ron Swoboada stroked a 2 RBI single and Dyer followed
with one of his own, putting the Mets up 4-1.
Jose Pagan followed with a solo home run in the Pirates 4th
and Clemente doubled home a run following inning-pulling Pittsburgh within a
run. But Art Shamsky added an insurance run with his 7th inning solo
dinger and Koosman worked around four base on balls, scattered six hits,
striking out seven-going the distance for his 16th win.
In the second game, Don Cardwell continued mastery over his
former team, pitching a complete game in New York’s 6-1 victory. Rod Gaspar led off the 1st with a
double and was quickly driven home on Wayne Garrett’s single. Art Shamsky
followed with a base knock of his own and after two quick outs Ron Swoboda’s
drive to RF was mishandled by Carl Taylor-scoring Shamsky and Garrett.
They
would add two more unearned runs in the 6th -putting the game out of
reach.
Chicago beat St. Louis, but the Mets twinbill sweep of the
Bucs added another half game to their lead. Up 4.5 heading into the final full
week of the season , the Mets hoped to clinch their first division title-and
the first team ever to win the new NL East-at home this week.
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