D-Whit - It Was 45 Years Ago Today...Sunday September 21st 1969

September 21^st

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 2^nd on Duffy Dyer’s groundout RBI.

New York took the lead in the 3^rd. 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 4^th and Clemente doubled home a run following inning-pulling Pittsburgh within a run. But Art Shamsky added an insurance run with his 7^th inning solo dinger and Koosman worked around four base on balls, scattered six hits, striking out seven-going the distance for his 16^th 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 1^st 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 6^th -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.