Amazin’ Look Back – May 3rd, 1973: Mets Edged by Reds 6-5

In front of just over 9,000 at Shea Stadium, the Mets blew an early four run lead and wound up losing a close contest to the Reds.

Apr 1, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets former player Rusty Staub throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the start of a MLB opening day game between the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets notched four runs in the first on a grand slam off the bat of Rusty Staub.  Mets starting pitcher Jon Matlack held Cincinnati off the board until he imploded in the fourth.  He was torched for six runs in the frame.  The big blow was a pinch hit, three run homer delivered by Larry Stahl as Matlack’s season ERA surged to 4.66.

The Mets answered with a run in their half of the fourth, but that’s all they were able to muster the rest of the way in an eventual 6-5 loss.  The defeat was the Mets’ second in a row, and dropped their record to 12-10.

Here’s the box score and starting lineups from the game:

New York Mets

Cincinnati Reds

1.

, CF

1.

, LF

2.

, 2B2.

, 2B

3.

, 3B3.

, C

4.

, RF4.

, 1B

5.

, 1B

5.

, CF6.

, LF

6.

, SS

7.

, C

7.

, RF

8.

, SS

8.

, 3B

9.

, P

9.

, P

Next Up:

The Mets welcome the Astros to Shea for a three game set beginning tomorrow.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to Like Rising Apple’s Facebook page and follow @RisingAppleBlog on Twitter to keep up with the latest news, rumors, and opinion.