Amazin’ Look Back – September 3, 1973: Koosy Shutout and Craig Swan Debut as Mets Split Two with Phillies at Shea

The New York Mets (64-73), who have crept to within 5 1/2 of the lackluster National League East’s top spot, split a double dip with the Phillies Monday, September 3, 1973, by scores of 5-0 and 3-6. Southpaw Jerry Koosman (12-14, 2.93 ERA) went the distance, but rookie right-hander Craig Swan (0-1, 8.31 ERA) could not get it done in his Major League debut.

The Mets made it 2-0 in 2nd inning on the first bill against the Phillies’ Steve Carlton on a Ted Martinez single and a Bud Harrelson groundout.

Ted Martinez, at 3rd base for this game, was the offensive star, going 4 for 4 with 4 RBI, including a solo shot in the 4th and a 2-run double in the 5th.

Koosy, however, was all the buzz, as he went 9 innings, giving up 0 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks, striking out 4.

Swanny looked to follow the lefty veteran with a stellar pitching show of his own, but gave up a single to the first batter he faced, Denny Doyle. Del Unser then walked….and so did Willie Montanez. Greg Luzinski grounded out for an RBI, but the Phillies did their best to help Craig out with a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play.

The Mets got the rook’s back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the 1st off Phillies’ pitcher Dick Ruthven: an Rusty Staub single scoring Wayne Garrett, an Ed Kranepool groundout scoring Felix Millan, and a Ron Hodges single scoring Staub.

Swanny’s back was not gotten in his 2nd inning of Major League Baseball when Rusty flat out dropped Bob Boone‘s fly ball in right. Though Mike Schmidt fouled out, Larry Bowa singled. The pitcher bunted Bowa over to 2nd, handing Craig a 2nd out. Denny Doyle then singled in Boone, however, to make it 3-2 Mets. The rookie was able to escape the inning with the lead.

Things stayed quiet until the top of the 5th, when the wheels came off for both Swanny and the Mets. Del Unser’s single was horrifically misplayed by Don Hahn in center field, allowing Unser to go all the way to 3rd. The game was tied when the next batter, Montanez, sac flied him home. Luninski then homered to make it 4-3 before Bob Robinson doubled, ending the day for the young starting pitcher. Jim McAndrew relieved him, and after getting Boone to fly out, Schmidt singled to make it 5-3.

The Phillies tacked on one more in the top of the 7th when Schmidt grounded into a double play with runners on the corners.

Game 1 Starting Lineups

Game 2 Starting Lineups

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