Ultimate Mets Database: Game of August 23, 1970

NYB Buff
October 20, 2024
In a doubleheader opener that was delayed by rain, the Mets scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull one out over a Reds team that had the best record in the major leagues. With the game tied and the bases loaded in the ninth, Ron Swoboda (who had four previous walk-off walks in his career) came up to bat. Swoboda went down on strikes, but Joe Foy followed with his third consecutive walk to force home the winning run. A great comeback victory!

Dave VW
November 2, 2024
They said nearly 2 inches of rain fell prior to the doubleheader, which made for some interesting sights. First, both starting pitchers for Game 1 warmed up side-by-side in the Mets bullpen because the visitors' bullpen was flooded, which must have been so strange to see. Also, the outfield was practically made into a pond, as the broadcasters relayed how some parts seemed to be at least ankle-deep in standing water. All game, balls hit into the outfield came almost to a sudden stop because of how wet it was. But with this game being so late into the season, and a doubleheader scheduled, they were desperate to get the games in and play no matter what the circumstances.

Tommy Agee had apparently suffered a knee injury the previous day, but aside from a limp one could hardly tell. He went 4-for-4 at the plate with 2 homers, including a lead-off shot in the 1st. He also made a leaping catch at the wall to potentially rob Bobby Tolan of a home run in the 4th while uncharacteristically playing RF, as Gil Hodges had realigned his OF to remove Agee from the tougher assignment in CF, which was his natural position. Thus, Cleon Jones played CF and Ron Swoboda was in LF, which would be his only time appearing in LF during the 1970 season. Agee almost hit a 3rd homer in the 9th but it went foul by about 10 feet down the RF line. Agee's outburst came almost out of nowhere, as he hadn't hit a HR since July 11.

Gary Gentry tied his season high by issuing 5 walks, but none of those runners scored. He only allowed 4 hits over 7 innings, which has to be considered a success against such a tough Reds lineup. Gary Nolan started for Cincinnati and continued his tradition of pitching well against the Mets, but was let down by his bullpen when the Mets scored 3 in the 9th to win it.

Art Shamsky had one of the big hits in the inning, as his RBI single tied the score. It was his first RBI in over a month, which is not something you want to hear from your usual cleanup hitter. Thankfully, Joe Foy worked a 4-pitch walk to bring in the winning run, picking up where Swoboda faltered.

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