NY Mets: 3 most memorable games with the black jerseys

October 8, 2000 – Bobby Jones throws a one-hitter in the NLDS

About a year after the grand slam home run, the Mets found themselves in a much different position. Rather than being one game away from elimination, they were one game away from advancing to the next round.

It was on October 8, 2000 when Bobby Jones took the mound versus the San Francisco Giants. The Mets led the best of 5 series 2-1 and were looking to advance to the NLCS for the second straight year. They had an opportunity to do it at Shea Stadium.

Jones threw 116 pitches for the Mets. Not dazzling in the box score with only 5 strikeouts and a pair of walks, the number that stands out is the single hit Jones allowed.

This happened in the top of the fifth when Jeff Kent led off the inning with a double. The Mets were up 2-0 at the time and the Giants were threatening. Jones managed to get a fly out, walk a batter, get another fly out, and then walk another batter to load the bases. A pop out from pitcher Mark Gardner ended the inning and gave Jones his only non-perfect inning of the game.

The Mets tacked on two more runs and went into the ninth with a 4-0 lead and the top of the Giants order coming up. Naturally, the game ended with Barry Bonds at the plate. Instead of extending the game at least another batter, Bonds lined out to end the game and put Jones in rarified air.

Although it wasn’t a no-hitter, this was one of best-pitched postseason games in club history. It all happened with the Mets wearing black.