Amazin’ Look Back 7/21/1973: Mets Top Astros

The Mets defeated the Astros at the Astrodome today by a score of 5-3. Jerry Koosman went 8 innings for the win, allowing 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, and struck out 7 Astros. Harry Parker pitched a scoreless 9th to earn his third save of the season. The Mets improved their record to 41-51 on the season.

May 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Detailed view of a Rawling official baseball in the dugout during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros opened the scoring against Koosman in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by Doug Rader. The Mets responded against Astros’ starter Ken Forsch with 2 runs in the top of the 3rd, when Rusty Staub doubled in Felix Millan, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by John Milner. The Mets stretched their lead to 4-1 in the top of the 7th when Staub and Wayne Garrett scored on a Cleon Jones single. The Astros cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th on a two-run home run bu Doug Rader, his second of the game. The Mets added an insurance run in the top of the 9th, when John Milner doubled in Wayne Garrett. The Mets then held on for the win.

Here are the starting lineups for the game:

New York Mets:

Wayne Garrett 3B

Felix Millan 2B

Rusty Staub RF

Cleon Jones CF

John Milner LF

Ed Kranepool 1B

Jerry Grote C

Bud Harrelson SS

Jerry Koosman P

Houston Astros:

Roger Metzger SS

Tommy Helms 2B

Cesar Cedeno CF

Bob Watson LF

Lee May 1B

Doug Rader 3B

Jim Wynn RF

Skip Jutze C

Ken Forsch P

Up Next: The Mets conclude their series with the Astros when Tom Seaver takes on Jerry Reuss.

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