This Day in Mets History: Mike Piazza finishes a monster comeback against the Braves

Mike Piazza had some memorable New York Mets moments. One of his greatest occurred on June 30, 2000, in a game at Shea Stadium against the rival Atlanta Braves when he helped finish off one of the greatest comebacks in team history.

The night was like far too many games between these two. A three-run home run by Brian Jordan in the top of the eighth put Atlanta ahead 8-1. Rolling over and dying was not an option for the Mets on this night. A comeback was about to take place.

The monster Mets comeback against the Braves on June 30, 2000 remains a memorable game

Bobby Cox summoned Don Wengert from the Atlanta bullpen to pitch the bottom half of the eighth inning. If you don’t remember him either, it’s okay. Cox probably had letting him finish the final two frames in mind after lifting starter Kevin Millwood.

Derek Bell got the inning started with a single. A fly out to center field off the bat of Edgardo Alfonzo inched the game closer to a sad conclusion. Piazza singled to put runners on the corner. Robin Ventura then grounded out to score Bell in a meaningless run—or so it seemed.

The Mets were down to their last out of the inning when the miracle on this night began. Todd Zeile singled in a run. Another base hit by Jay Payton kept things going against Wengert. Cox had seen enough so it was Kerry Ligtenberg’s turn. He walked Benny Agbayani to load the bases for the pitcher’s spot. Pinch hitter Mark Johnson walked then Melvin Mora did the same. Ligtenberg’s night was over.

Now down 8-5, the Mets had already batted around with Bell coming back to the plate again. There was a new pitcher on the mound, Terry Mulholland, but the result was the same. The fourth batter in a row drew a fourth ball. Suddenly the once insurmountable lead held by the Braves was closing in.

Alfonzo made up for his earlier at-bat by singling in two runs. The game was now tied at 8 apiece when Piazza stepped up and broke it with a three-run home run. Ventura would then groundout to end the inning but not before the Mets stole the moment away from the Braves.

10 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, and nobody left on. It was one of the most memorable innings in team history. Armando Benitez shut the door in the ninth to cap off an all-time Mets victory.