Amazin’ Look Back – July 30, 1973: Expos Take Two at Shea, 1-0 and 5-2

The New York Mets (44-56) just can’t seem to get into a real winning groove, dropping a doubleheader on July 30, 1973, to the Montreal Expos (50-52) for their 3rd straight loss since winning 2 in a row. The first game was another tough-luck loss for Jon Matlack (7-14, 3.51 ERA) while Buzz Capra (1-5, 5.79 ERA) took the loss in relief of the 2nd game after Tug McGraw made a rare start.

Both the Expos and the Mets scattered singles throughout the 1st game, until the Mets old friend 2B Ron Hunt singled to lead off the 9th. He moved over to 2nd on a bunt groundout, before RF Ken Singleton doubled him home. Matlack finished the inning for the complete-game, and got the loss after the Mets went down in the bottom of the 9th 1-2-3.

Starting Lineups

As stated before, Tug McGraw made a rare spot-start in the 2nd game, doing a solid job with 5.2 innings of 1-run ball. The Mets struck first with an 1B Ed Kranepool RBI single in the bottom of the 4th, but the Expos tied it on a SS Pepe Frias RBI single in the top of the 5th.

Bud Harrelson did his part to give the Mets a 2-1 lead with a leadoff triple. Both Tug McGraw and 3B Wayne Garrett failed to get him in, but 2B Felix Millan did the job with a bunt single to 1st.

Harry Parker replaced Tug with 2 out in the 6th inning, and was still on the mound in the top of the 7th. Pinch-hitting Mike Jorgensen led off with a double to right. He got through 2 more pinch-hitters, but Ron Hunt once again gave the Mets fits with a single to right, tying the game.

Everything was quiet until the top of the 10th. Buzz Capra relieved Parker to start the inning, and did not commence it well with a walk to Hunt. He moved over to 2nd on a sac bunt by pitcher Mike Marshall, before Capra intentionally walked Ken Singleton to set up the double play. 1B Hal Breeden popped out to left, but a wild pitch with 3B Bob Bailey up forced Yogi Berra to call for another intentional walk, loading the bases. C John Boccabella then cleared the bases with a double to make it 5-2.

The Mets put up hardly a fight in the bottom half.

Starting Lineups

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