National League Standings, May 18, 1970
METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE MAY 18, 1970 GAME:
Dave VW
October 9, 2024
On Victoria Day, a Canadian national holiday, the Expos give their fans all the reason to celebrate by coming back for 5 runs in the 9th inning, highlighted by a walk-off grand slam by Bob Bailey.
The Mets took a 4-1 lead in the 8th when the unlikely trio of Dave Marshall, Joe Foy and Jerry Grote went back-to-back-to-back. It was the second time in Mets history 3 players hit consecutive home runs, following Frank Thomas, Charlie Neal and Gil Hodges during the inaugural 1962 season.
After a rocky start (to which Bob Murphy credited to pants that had been shrunken in the wash), Gary Gentry wound up allowing just 1 run over the first 7 innings. But despite throwing approximately 114 pitches, the Mets chose not to pinch-hit for him in the top of the 8th. Wouldn't you know it, he allowed 3 straight hits and a run in the bottom of the 8th, which finally prompted Gil Hodges to go to his bullpen. Ron Taylor came in and allowed an inherited runner to score, cutting the Mets lead to 4-3.
The Mets went down quietly in the 9th, and Taylor gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Ron Brand before getting relieved by Tug McGraw. The next batter tried to lay down a sac bunt but Grote nailed the leading runner at 2nd. But McGraw couldn't get any other outs, giving up a walk, a check-swing RBI double to Rusty Staub, and a free pass before Cal Koonce came in next. Four pitches later, Bailey was rounding the bases with his first homer of the season, and the Expos' first ever walk-off home run. A month and a half into the season, Bailey hadn't gone yard a single time, but he would somehow end the year with 28 longballs.
Now it's your turn! Tell us what you remember of this game:
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The Mets suck! Smith made three errors in this game, and hit into a
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and get somebody like Jones.
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