Amazin’ Look Back; June 12, 1973 – Ed Kranepool’s HR Helps Mets Slip By Giants, 5-4

After yesterday’s loss, the Mets took the field today at Shea Stadium looking to even their three game series against the San Francisco Giants.  Jim McAndrew started for the Mets, looking to even his record with a potential fourth win.  He was opposed by the Dominican Dandy, Juan Marichal.

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

The Giants got on the board right away, on Tito Fuentes‘ single which plated Bobby Bonds, who led off the game by drawing a walk off McAndrew and promptly put himself in scoring position by  stealing second.  The Mets struck for a pair in the bottom of the third, on an RBI single from Willie Mays and a double from Rusty Staub.  But San Francisco recaptured the lead by a 3-2 margin with two runs in the fifth as center fielder Garry Maddox and third baseman Ed Goodson each drove in a run with singles.  That also signaled the end of Jim McAndrew’s outing.

Coach Yogi Berra turned to his bullpen, calling upon Harry Parker for the sixth.  Behind Parker, the Mets bounced back against Marichal in the bottom of the frame, leapfrogging ahead 4-3 when Ed Kranepool connected on his first home run of the season, with John Milner aboard.  The Mets picked up another very important insurance run in the seventh, when Felix Millan plated Don Hahn, who was pinch-running for Mays, with the Mets fifth run of the game.  Because in the top of the ninth, Harry Parker surrendered a lead-off single and walked the second batter he faced.  That caused Yogi Berra to make another move, bringing in Phil Hennigan.  Pinch-hitting for the pitcher, the Giants’ Jim Howarth scored when Garry Maddox bounced into a fielder’s choice.  But that’s all San Francisco would get.  Phil Hennigan and the Mets managed to hold on for a 5-4 victory.

Starter Jim McAndrew totalled five full innings, and was charged with three runs, but only one earned, on six hits.  He walked three and struck out two before leaving at the time, on the losing side of a 3-2 game.  Harry Parker tossed three innings to earn the victory.  He is now 5-0 on the season.  Harry was charged with one earned run, on three hits.  He walked two and struck out one.  Phil Hennigan finished off the Giants to earn his third save.

Juan Marichal was clearly not his best.  In seven innings of work, he allowed five runs, four earned, on nine hits.  He walked one and struck out three, in suffering his fifth loss of the season, against six victories.

Starting Lineups

The Mets improved their record to 24-29, and while they still remain nine games out of first, they slipped into a fourth place tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies continue to reside in the division cellar.  The rubber game versus San Francisco is scheduled for tomorrow evening, with Tom Seaver tentatively facing the Giants’ Tom Bradley.

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