Stymied by 19-game winner Doc Ellis all game, the Mets finally broke through in the 8th thanks to a Tommie Agee 2-out RBI single. That made the score 2-1, but Tug McGraw couldn't hold serve spelling Nolan Ryan, giving up a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Those runs would prove fatal, as Bob Aspromonte delivered a 2-out RBI double in the 9th that would have tied the game if McGraw held the Pirates scoreless. Instead, NL saves leader Dave Giusti came in for Ellis and got Tim Foli to pop out to end the game.

Ryan gave up just 1 earned run over 7 innings but took his first loss of the year. Bud Harrelson also went 0-for-3 to snap a 13-game hitting streak, which proved to be the longest of his entire career.

Not like the Dodgers did much on offense, either. Maury Wills delivered a 2-out, 2-run single in the 5th to account for all their runs. Nolan Ryan and Danny Frisella combined for 12 strikeouts, which tied the most a team tallied vs. L.A. during the season.

The only positive I took away from this game was that I listened to the Dodgers radio broadcast, featuring the immortal Vin Scully. There simply weren't any better at calling the game.

As crazy as it may sound, this was actually Ryan's final career appearance against the Astros. He never faced them as a member of the American League Angels or Rangers, and was obviously a member of the Astros from 1980-88. So though he pitched for 22 more seasons after getting traded off the Mets after 1971, this was his last time facing Houston. He probably didn't mind, either, as his career record vs. the Astros was 3-7 with a 5.62 ERA. The Orioles had the next highest career ERA vs. Ryan at 4.21.

Wilson tossed a complete game win for Houston. I did some research into his career and, aside from learning he was one of the better NL starters at the time, saw he died young at the age of 29 prior to the 1975 season. The circumstances surrounding his death are still unsettled to this day, as he was found in his car with the engine running inside his garage with a BAC over 0.16, apparently succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning. Tragically, his 5-year-old son was asleep in the room above the garage and also died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. In remembrance, the Astros retired his #40 in 1975 and no one for the franchise has worn it since.

Yesterday would have been Tom’s 80th birthday, and I watched on YouTube the ceremony with Suzyn Waldman’s beautiful musical tribute sung to the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” plus Tom’s speech and wonderful bowing on the mound.

It was striking to see his old teammates, many of whom have died, still so vibrant and youthful. It brought me to tears all over again.