Amazin’ Look Back – May 4th, 1973: Mets Fall to Astros in 14

For the second straight game, the Mets let an early four run lead slip away.  This time, however, it took 14 innings for them to eventually drop the game.

Apr 23, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; General view a baseball during batting practice prior to the San Diego Padres game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

After erupting for four runs in the first, the Mets and Astros scored a run and two runs respectively until the top of the eighth.  With the Mets leading 5-2, Jerry Koosman was relieved by Tug McGraw with one out and the bases loaded.  McGraw completely imploded, walking three batters to force in three runs as the Astros tied the game at 5.

That’s how the score remained until the top of the 14th.  After ex-Met Tommie Agee and Jim Wynn singled, Agee was driven in by pitcher Jim Ray (who was pinch hitting).  The Astros tacked on three more runs for good measure, and the Mets were held scoreless (after getting two men on) in their half of the 14th.

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

1 2 3 4  5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14    R H E
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Astros

0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0   0   0   0    4    9 13 2

Mets

0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0  0 0   0   0   0    0     5 8 1

New York Mets

Houston Astros

1.

, CF

1.

, RF

2.

, 2B2.

, SS

3.

, 3B3.

, CF

4.

, RF4.

, LF

5.

, 1B

5.

, 1B6.

, LF

6.

, 3B

7.

, C

7.

, C

8.

, SS

8.

, 2B

9.

, P

9.

, P

Next Up:

The Mets play game two of their three game set against Houston at Shea.

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