Game 40: May 26, 1964 (Mets at Chicago)

Mets Outlast Cubs in 13, 9-7


Chicago, IL-- The Mets went from joyous to sad twice in the late innings, but the third time was a charm, as they beat the Chicago Cubs, 9-7 in 13 innings at Wrigley Field Tuesday afternoon.

The Mets blew a 6-4 lead in the ninth and a 7-6 lead in the 12th before Jim Hickman finally finished off the Cubs with a two-run homer in the 13th off lefty Fred Norman.

In fact, the Mets blew a 6-1 lead, which they had built up after their half of the seventh.

The Cubs scored three times in the seventh to draw closer, and rallied in the ninth off Carl Willey. Pinch-hitter Ellis Burton slammed a two-run homer over the left field wall to knot the game.

Undaunted, the Mets scored in the 12th when Cubs third baseman Ron Santo made a rare error, allowing Roy McMillan, who had walked earlier in the inning, to cross the plate.

But the Cubs replied with a run of their own in the 12th, courtesy a bases-loaded walk to Merritt Ranew. The Cubs had the sacks filled with only one out after Ranew scored, setting up a dramatic win for the home team. But reliever Bill Wakefield struck out Billy Cowan and Vic Roznovsky to end the threat.

The Mets (11-29) have their first three-game winning streak of the season and have won six of their last eight games.

"Feels good," Hickman said afterward. "You never know what can happen in extra innings, as we saw today. Felt good to help the team win."


Hickman: 3-for-7, three RBI in the Cubs' third straight win


Mets manager Casey Stengel waxed poetic---sort of.

"I'm too gol-dang old to sweat through a game like this," he said of the see-saw affair. "Too many more of these and you'll see me six feet under!"

Hickman went 3-for-7 with three RBI. Wakefield got the win.

The Mets scored four times in the fifth inning, in which the first six hitters reached base.

*****************************************

Mets record: 11-29, .275 (Last 10: 7-3; streak: W-3); Actual: 12-28


Home: 2-11; Away: 9-18


Runs scored: 116


Runs against: 200

Game 39: May 24, 1964 (Mets at Houston)

Stallard Brilliant as Mets Take 3 of 4 From Colts, 2-0


Houston, TX-- In a series dominated by starting pitching, the Mets' Tracy Stallard followed suit Sunday night in Houston. And in doing so, he pitched his mates to a rare series win.

Stallard fired a complete-game, five-hit shutout at the Colt .45s as the Mets (10-29) won for the fifth time in seven games.

The Mets scored single runs in the second and third innings, giving Stallard all the offense he would need.

Only one Colt .45 reached second base all evening. Stallard walked two and struck out three.

"Tracy was great," said Mets catcher Jesse Gonder, who called the game and also drove in the second Mets run. "Lots of off-speed stuff to attack their aggressiveness."


Stallard stifled the Colt .45s as the Mets continued to roll


Stallard had to be good, as the Mets' bats were again mostly silent, as they were for most of the series, despite winning three of the four games here.

Houston starter Bob Bruce went eight innings, scattering seven hits and striking out nine.

The Mets are now nearing the end of their 15-game road trip; they only have three games left in it, at Chicago. Despite a 1-4 start to the trip, the Mets have recovered and are 6-6 since leaving New York almost two weeks ago.

*****************************************

Mets record: 10-29, .256 (Last 10: 6-4; streak: W-2); Actual: 11-28


Home: 2-11; Away: 8-18


Runs scored: 107


Runs against: 193

Games 37 and 38: May 23, 1964 (Mets at Houston)

Owens Vexes Mets, 1-0 In Game 1, But Ninth Inning Rally Gains DH Split


Houston, TX-- Jim Owens pitched with a lot of traffic on the base paths in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader, but the Houston Colt .45s right-hander didn't let any of that traffic come home as he shutout the Mets, 1-0.

The Mets looked to be blanked in Game 2, too, but a three-run ninth inning salvaged a split, 3-1.

In the opener, Owens only had one 1-2-3 inning as the Mets couldn't get that one clutch hit, and the Pennsylvanian pitched a complete game, eight-hit shutout.

The lone run in the game came in the bottom of the ninth off Mets reliever Bill Wakefield---when a single by Bob Lillis scored Eddie Kasko, who had doubled.

Owens was also helped by two double plays turned by his infield.

In Game 2, the Mets were on the verge of being shutout again, trailing 1-0 going into the top of the ninth. This time the Colt .45s pitcher was Ken Johnson, who was working on a seven-hit complete game. Had the Colts won, they would have swept a doubleheader while only scoring two runs all day.

But the Mets' offense finally woke up, exploding for three runs, helped along by two Houston errors. The big blow was a two-run, one-out double by Frank Thomas.

Bill Wakefield pitched a quiet ninth to gain the save for winning pitcher Bobby Locke.

The win in Game 2 was the Mets' fourth in six games, improving their record to 9-29.

"I've been around baseball since the beginning of time," Mets manager Casey Stengel said, "but I ain't never seen a team sweep a doubleheader while only scoring two runs."

Thankfully, the Perfesser still hasn't seen it.


Thomas's clutch double in the ninth inning of Game 2 salvaged a DH split


The Mets' ninth inning in Game 2 started with a single by pinch-hitter Jesse Gonder. Amado Samuel followed with another single, and when left fielder Al Spangler bobbled it, Gonder moved to third and Samuel took second.

Rod Kanehl was up next, and his groundball was muffed by shortstop Lillis, scoring Gonder with the tying run. Ron Hunt was hit by a pitch from reliever Hal Woodeshick, loading the bases with nobody out.

Woodeshick coaxed a short fly ball from George Altman that failed to score a run. But then Thomas delivered, driving a ball into the right-center field gap to plate Samuel and Hunt.

The series concludes with a single game on Sunday.

*****************************************

Mets record: 9-29, .237 (Last 10: 5-5; streak: W-1); Actual: 11-27


Home: 2-11; Away: 7-18


Runs scored: 105


Runs against: 193

Game 36: May 22, 1964 (Mets at Houston)

Charlie Smith Leads Mets to First Two-Game Win Streak, 5-3


Houston, TX-- The Mets' caravan has taken them to Houston, and finally they are enjoying a winning streak.

Charlie Smith's two-run homer in the fifth inning put the Mets up to stay, and they used more clutch hitting and clutch pitching to subdue the Houston Colt .45s, 5-3 Friday night at Colts Stadium.

It was the first time all year that the Mets (8-28) have strung together more than one win in a row.

Lefty Al Jackson was sharp, going 8.2 innings before needing help from Larry Bearnarth to nail down the victory.

Jackson scattered eight hits and walked only three, striking out two.

After Smith's blast, the Mets scored two more in the sixth and one in the eighth to keep the .45s at bay.

"Good win," Smith said. "We're starting to feel more confident now. Hopefully our bad start is behind us."

Mets manager Casey Stengel was asked what a winning streak feels like.

"Start printing World Series tickets!" the Perfesser said, and no one knew if he was joking or not.


Smith's third home run of the season got the Mets' offense started


The ninth inning got a little scary, though.

Leading 5-1, Jackson got the first two Colt .45s out, then quickly ran into trouble, surrendering back-to-back doubles by John Bateman and Eddie Kasko---the seventh and eighth men in the Houston batting order---to produce a run. Pinch-hitter Bob Aspromonte singled home Kasko, and just like that, it was 5-3.

Enter Bearnarth, but he gave up a single to Bob Lillis, bringing the winning run to the plate in the form of veteran Nellie Fox. But Bearnarth induced a fly ball to George Altman in left and the Mets' first winning streak was in the books.

The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

*****************************************

Mets record: 8-28, .222 (Last 10: 5-5; streak: W-2); Actual: 11-25


Home: 2-11; Away: 6-17


Runs scored: 102


Runs against: 191

Game 35: May 21, 1964 (Mets at Los Angeles)

Surprise! Mets Beat Koufax, Dodgers, 7-2


Chavez Ravine, CA-- You could have made a mint on this one in Las Vegas.

The 6-28 Mets against the great Sandy Koufax?

Imagine the surprise of so many people this morning when they woke up to the news: the Mets used clutch hitting and clutch pitching and beat Koufax and the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-2, to take the rubber game of the three-game series.

The Mets (7-28) are 5-6 in their last 11 games, and they're gaining a little confidence.

"We know we can play with these teams," outfielder Jim Hickman said. "We just have to start winning more games and we'll feel even better about ourselves. But it's getting better."

Koufax surrendered four unearned runs, but that doesn't change the fact that the Mets got key hits and were able to make the Dodgers pay for their three errors.

Tied 1-1 in the seventh, an error by third baseman Junior Gilliam opened the floodgates for the Mets, who scored three runs after two were out. The big blow was a two-run triple by Joe Christopher. Hickman had three RBI, including a solo home run in the ninth.

In the fourth, Ron Hunt came around to score after reaching base thanks to an error by Maury Wills.

"Mistakes can kill you in this game," Dodgers manager Walt Alston said. "And they (the Mets) proved it tonight."


The Mets' Hickman says the team is gaining confidence


Koufax struck out eight in seven innings of work, but the Mets continually came up with big base hits to tack on more runs.

After the Dodgers pulled to within 4-2 in their half of the seventh, the Mets struck for two runs in the eighth and Hickman's home run in the ninth to keep the Dodgers at bay.

It was only the second series win for the Mets in 1964.

The Mets' .200 winning percentage is their highest since starting the season 1-4.

"There's a long way to go," Hickman said. "Too early to pack it in. I think the guys are feeling better about themselves now."
*****************************************

Mets record: 7-28, .200 (Last 10: 4-6; streak: W-1); Actual: 10-25


Home: 2-11; Away: 5-17


Runs scored: 97


Runs against: 188

Game 34: May 20, 1964 (Mets at Los Angeles)

Dodgers Score Early, Hang On to Beat Mets, 4-3


Chavez Ravine, CA-- It took the Mets seven innings to wake up. Their alarm should have been set sooner.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a 4-0 lead after two innings, then held on to beat the Mets, 4-3 Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Mets didn't get their first base hit until the fifth inning, and were scoreless until scoring twice in the seventh and one in the ninth. But their rally fell short.

Frank Howard clubbed a two-run homer in the first inning off Mets starter Ron Locke and light-hitting Dick Tracewski added a solo shot in the second. The Mets had runners on first and second in the ninth, had scored a run to get within 4-3, but Ron Perranoski got pinch-hitter Rod Kanehl to fly out to left field to end the game.


Howard got the Dodgers rolling with a two-run homer in the first inning


The Mets (6-28) still haven't won two games in a row this season.

"Someone should have reminded our guys that the game started at 7:30," Mets manager Casey Stengel said. "We weren't even in the game until it was too late."

Joe Christopher had two hits for the Mets, who will try to win their second series of the year tomorrow. They took two of three from the Braves last week.


*****************************************

Mets record: 6-28, .176 (Last 10: 4-6; streak: L-1); Actual: 10-24


Home: 2-11; Away: 4-17


Runs scored: 90


Runs against: 186

Game 33: May 19, 1964 (Mets at Los Angeles)

Mets Tame Dodgers, 4-2


Chavez Ravine, CA-- Tracy Stallard has been, by far, the Mets' best starting pitcher this season. Monday night he showed why.

Stallard went eight innings, giving up just one run on six hits, and his effort led the Mets to a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium.

Stallard (2-4) lowered his ERA to 2.81.

The Mets led, 4-0 after seven innings before the Dodgers scored single runs in the eighth and ninth.

Ron Hunt had two hits and two RBI to lead the Mets attack.


Stallard was brilliant in notching his second win of the year


The Mets have now gone 4-5 since their horrific 2-22 start.

The win gave them a 2-4 record on their current 15-game road trip.

Stallard surrendered a two-out triple to Junior Gilliam in the third, then walked Tommy Davis, but he induced a come-backer by Ron Fairly to get out of trouble. Until the eighth, only three Dodgers made it to second base or beyond.

"That was some gosh darn good pitching," said Mets manager Casey Stengel. "Thank the Lord we were able to get that Stallard a win for his efforts."

Willard Hunter pitched a shaky ninth, but got his first save of the year despite a walk, a hit, and two wild pitches.

Charlie Smith had three singles and scored a run for the Mets.

*****************************************

Mets record: 6-27, .182 (Last 10: 4-6; streak: W-1); Actual: 10-23


Home: 2-11; Away: 4-16


Runs scored: 87


Runs against: 182

Game 32: May 18, 1964 (Mets at San Francisco)

Giants Strike Early, Take 4 of 5 From Mets


San Francisco, CA-- For the San Francisco Giants, forget two out of three---four out of five ain't bad, either.

The Giants scored early and coasted to a 6-3 victory over the Mets Monday afternoon, claiming four out of the games between the two teams in a wraparound series.

The Giants led, 4-0 after three innings and the Mets (5-27) didn't get their first base hit until the sixth inning.

Only a three-run ninth made the score respectable, as the Mets got homers from Jesse Gonder and Jim Hickman in the frame.

Jim Duffalo carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning for the Giants before Dick Smith broke it up with an infield single with one out.

Galen Cisco started and took the loss for the Mets, who were hoping to build on the momentum from their come-from-behind win in the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader.


The Giants' Duffalo buffaloed the Mets thru 5.1 innings, holding them hitless


But that hope was squashed quickly as the Giants scored once in the first, once in the second, and tacked on two more runs in the third. Second baseman Chuck Hiller had three RBI for the Giants.

"Tony Bennett was right about this place," Mets manager Casey Stengel said about San Francisco and the singer's ballad about it. "We went one step further and left our bats in the hotel, to boot."

It's off to Los Angeles now for the Mets, who continue their grueling 15-game road trip today against the Dodgers.

*****************************************

Mets record: 5-27, .156 (Last 10: 3-7; streak: L-1); Actual: 10-22


Home: 2-11; Away: 3-16


Runs scored: 83


Runs against: 180

Games 30 & 31: May 17, 1964 (Mets at San Francisco, DH)

Mets Rally in Nightcap, Gain DH Split


San Francisco, CA-- When the San Francisco Giants scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 5-4 lead in Game 2 of their doubleheader with the Mets after winning Game 1, a sweep looked certain, given the Mets' 4-26 start.

But the Mets stunned the Giants with three runs in the top of the ninth and stole Game 2, 7-5.

The Giants won Game 1, 3-1.

In the nightcap, the Mets strung together four singles in the top of the ninth before anyone was out. Joe Christopher's single drove home Tim Harkness with the go-ahead run, and Charlie Smith added an RBI groundout.

The Mets scored four runs in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead, but the Giants appeared to steal a victory with two runs in their half of the eighth inning, courtesy a two-run double by Tom Haller.


Christopher's single in the ninth inning of Game 2 drove in the go-ahead run

In Game 1, Giants pitcher Bob Hendley gave up 10 hits in 8.1 innings, but only one run---in the ninth inning.

The Giants scored single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning.

Harkness had four hits in Game 2 for the Mets (5-26), and Jesse Gonder chipped in with three hits and two RBI.

Larry Bearnarth pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save.

The Mets have one more game in San Francisco to finish the big five-game series.

"We didn't quit," Mets manager Casey Stengel said about his team's rally in the nightcap. "I'll say that much. It was good to win a close one for a change."
*****************************************
Mets record: 5-26, .161 (Last 10: 3-7; streak: W-1); Actual: 9-22


Home: 2-11; Away: 3-15


Runs scored: 80


Runs against: 174

Game 29: May 16, 1964 (Mets at San Francisco)

Giants Bomb Mets, 14-0


San Francisco, CA-- If there was anything the Mets could hang their ballcaps on this season, it was their ability to stay in most of the games they played.

Not so on Saturday.

The San Francisco Giants scored 14 runs by the fourth inning, and mercifully didn't score again in blowing out the Mets, 14-0 at Candlestick Park.

After four innings, the Giants had 14 runs and 15 hits before their bats either went quiet or got tired, depending on how you look at it.

Abused on the mound were Mets starter Dennis Ribant (2+ innings, seven runs) and second man in Ron Locke (1+ inning, six runs).

"They kicked our (butts) from here to Bakersfield and back," said Mets manager Casey Stengel.

Indeed the Giants did.

Tom Haller's three-run homer in the first capped a four-run opening inning. Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda each slammed homers in the Giants' five-run third. And the Giants scored five more in the fourth, thanks largely to Jim Davenport's two-run double.

As for the Mets, they managed just four hits off Giants starter Juan Marichal, who pitched a complete game.

Cepeda, Haller and Davenport each had three RBI for the Giants.

The Mets are 4-25, and off on another losing streak, though this one sits at only two games.


Haller's three-run home run capped the Giants' four-run first inning


The worst part is, the Mets still have three more games here before they wrap up the five-game series.

"14-0? I didn't even play in any Little League games that had a score like that," lamented Mets right fielder Jim Hickman afterward.

*****************************************
Mets record: 4-25, .138 (Last 10: 2-8; streak: L-2); Actual: 9-20


Home: 2-11; Away: 2-14


Runs scored: 72


Runs against: 166

Game 28: May 15, 1964 (Mets at San Francisco)

O'Dell Flirts With No-Hitter; Mets Lose, 3-1


San Francisco, CA-- The Mets' 15-game road trip isn't off to a great start.

As for great starts, Billy O'Dell turned one in Friday night.

Left-hander O'Dell held the Mets hitless for 5.2 innings as the San Francisco Giants managed just enough offense for a 3-1 victory at Candlestick Park.

Dick Smith's two-out single in the sixth was the Mets' first of only two hits they managed, both off O'Dell, who went seven innings for the win.

Orlando Cepeda hit a solo home run, and Willie McCovey and Tom Haller added RBI singles for the Giants.

Victimized by his offense was Mets starter Tracy Stallard, who scattered nine hits over seven innings and who gave up just two runs.

O'Dell struck out three and walked two.


O'Dell no-hit the Mets until two out in the sixth


"Billy won't overpower you, but he can be crafty," said Giants manager Alvin Dark. "This was him at his best---changing speeds, keeping them off balance."

"We were lifeless," said Mets manager Casey Stengel. "I told (coach Wes) Westrum to check them for a pulse next time they came back to the dugout."

The Mets fell to 4-24. They play the next 14 on the road, where they are 2-13.
*****************************************
Mets record: 4-24, .143 (Last 10: 2-8; streak: L-1); Actual: 9-19


Home: 2-11; Away: 2-13


Runs scored: 72


Runs against: 152

Game 27: May 14, 1964 (Milwaukee at Mets)

Cisco, Christopher Lead Mets to Series Win, 4-2


Flushing, NY-- Maybe the win on Tuesday wasn't a fluke after all.

The Mets bounced back from yet another defeat to subdue the Milwaukee Braves, 4-2, on Thursday at Shea Stadium, taking two out of three during the midweek series.

It was the only time all season that the Mets stopped a losing skid at one game. They already have two 11-game losing streaks on their record.

Starter Galen Cisco scattered nine hits over 8.1 innings, and Larry Bearnarth closed the door in the ninth inning to preserve the victory for the Mets (4-23).

Right fielder Joe Christopher, back in the starting lineup after battling back spasms for a couple weeks that limited him to pinch-hitting duties, had a home run and three RBI to lead the Mets attack.

Light-hitting Rod Kanehl hit a rare homer for the Mets' other score.

The Mets jumped on Braves starter Warren Spahn early, scoring all four of their runs by the fourth inning, after which they had five hits. They only managed two more hits the rest of the game, but Cisco made it hold up.

"Bless that Cisco's heart," Mets manager Casey Stengel said. "He really gutted it out. I was proud of that man today."

Christopher was glad to not only start again, but to contribute right away.

"Felt good to be out there from the start," he said. Of his home run, he added, "The pitch was out over the middle of the plate. I just wanted to drive it, and I got it on the sweet spot."


Christopher celebrated his return to the starting lineup with a homer and three RBI


The Mets won a series for the first time this season.

It was a good way to end a long homestand, especially since the Mets now must go on the road for a mammoth 15-game trip to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago.

"Well," Stengel mused about the road trip, "it's not exactly like we've been settin' the world on fire in our own ballpark."

Indeed; yesterday's victory was just the Mets' second at home in 13 tries.

*****************************************
Mets record: 4-23, .148 (Last 10: 2-8; streak: W-1); Actual: 8-19


Home: 2-11; Away: 2-12


Runs scored: 71


Runs against: 149

Game 26: May 13, 1964 (Milwaukee at Mets)

Mets Return to Losing Ways, 3-1


Flushing, NY-- It didn't take long for the Mets to go back to what they do best: lose baseball games.

A day after snapping an 11-game losing streak, the Mets' bats again fell silent and they were subdued by the Milwaukee Braves, 3-1, at Shea Stadium.

The Mets managed just five hits as they fell to 3-23.

Tony Cloninger pitched a complete game for the Braves, who rapped out 11 hits to support their hurler.

Jack Fisher pitched his best game of the season for the Mets, but he had no help from his offense.

Lee Maye tripled home two runs in the fourth to give the Braves a 3-0 lead.

Tim Harkness's two-out base hit scored Frank Thomas in the seventh for the Mets' lone run.

The rubber game of the three-game series takes place tonight.


Lee Maye's two-out triple in the fourth was the Braves' big hit Wednesday


"We went back to being scared out there," Mets manager Casey Stengel said. "Yesterday (a 6-3 Mets win) we were aggressive. I can't explain it."

The Mets have scored 67 runs in 26 games, a 2.6 per game average.

"That's not going to do it," second baseman Ron Hunt said. "No way Jose."

Hank Aaron had three singles for the Braves, who tried to help the Mets with two errors.

But these days, little is contributing to the Mets' cause.


*****************************************
Mets record: 3-23, .115 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-1); Actual: 7-19


Home: 1-11; Away: 2-12


Runs scored: 67


Runs against: 147

Game 25: May 12, 1964 (Milwaukee at Mets)

FINALLY! Mets Win, and At Home, 6-3


Flushing, NY-- It looked like another typical Mets game, at the beginning---especially when it comes to any played at new Shea Stadium.

The visiting Milwaukee Braves jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first, and were leading 3-1 in the second inning.

But from that point on, the game turned very atypical.

The Mets finally won a baseball game after 11 straight losses, and registered their first win at home this season, coming from behind to beat the Braves, 6-3.

"I thought the fellas were gonna have to pick me up off the dugout floor," manager Casey Stengel said of his feelings after the final out was made. "I almost forgot what it felt like to win a dadgum game."

Starter Al Jackson picked up his first win, scattering nine hits in six innings and getting the Braves to pound the ball into the ground time and again.

The Mets turned four double plays in Jackson's six innings, which didn't hurt.

"The guys played great behind me," Jackson said. "It gave me confidence to not be afraid to let (the Braves) hit the ball."

The Mets tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth, with the help of an error by Braves shortstop Denis Menke and an RBI single by Ron Hunt with two outs.

The Mets added the go-ahead run in the sixth on a strange play that normally happens to them, not for them

After walking with one out, Larry Elliot moved to second on a passed ball by catcher Joe Torre. But Torre thought he could throw Elliot out at second, which backfired when Torre's arm betrayed him and the ball sailed into centerfield.

Elliot barely beat Felipe Alou's throw at home, and the Mets had the lead.

Then the Mets added single runs in the seventh and eighth, the latter on a solo homer by Elliot.



Larry Elliot hit a homer and scored twice to help lead the Mets



Bill Wakefield chipped in with two scoreless innings of relief, and Larry Bearnarth finished the Braves off with a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

The Mets are still a ghastly 3-22, but for one night at least, there were smiles and open beers in the team's clubhouse.

"We needed that," Hunt said, in what may be the understatement of the year, so far.


*****************************************
Mets record: 3-22, .120 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: W-1); Actual: 6-19


Home: 1-10; Away: 2-12


Runs scored: 66


Runs against: 144

Games 23 and 24: May 10, 1964 (St. Louis at Mets)

Mets' Losing Streak Hits 11 After DH Sweep


Flushing, NY-- Another visit by a fellow National League team, another sweep at their hands.

The Mets fell to 0-10 at brand new Shea Stadium after being swept in a doubleheader by the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday.

The losses were the Mets' 10th and 11th straight, dropping them deeper into the NL basement at 2-22.

Hard to believe that the Mets were once 1-0, sharing first place.

The Cards won Game 1, 4-3, thanks to a tie-breaking double by Dick Groat in the seventh inning. Tim Harkness had all three RBI for the Mets.

In Game 2, the Mets lost 6-1, mustering just five hits.

The Mets already possess two 11-game losing streaks, and it's only May 11.

Sunday was Mother's Day, and the Mets are a team, right now, that only a mother could love.

Certainly their manager doesn't.

"We're not competing," Casey Stengel lamented after the nightcap. "We expect to lose. Even I expect us to lose, with this attitude."

The Milwaukee Braves invade Shea Tuesday for a three-game sweep, er, series.


*****************************************
Mets record: 2-22, .083 (Last 10: 0-10; streak: L-11); Actual: 6-18


Home: 0-10; Away: 2-12


Runs scored: 60


Runs against: 141

Game 22: May 9, 1964 (St. Louis at Mets)

Mets Lose Ninth Straight, 5-1

Flushing, NY-- Friday night, the Mets scored one run on 11 hits. Saturday they were slightly more efficient: they scored one run on 10 hits.

It didn't matter as far as the result goes; the Mets lost again, 5-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Shea Stadium.

It was the Mets' ninth straight loss and dipped their record to an unsightly and unbelievable---even for them---2-20.

In the process, the Mets remain winless in their new ballpark, dropping to 0-8 at Shea.

Bob Gibson twirled a complete game for the Cards, despite giving up the 10 hits. The Mets stranded nine runners on base.

Galen Cisco started and lost for the Mets, but he pitched pretty well: 7 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 2 K, one earned run.

Shortstop Dick Groat had four hits for the Cards, and first baseman Bill White had three. Third baseman Ken Boyer had three hits and three RBI.

Frank Thomas hit a solo homer for the Mets in the sixth for their only run.

The series concludes with a Sunday doubleheader.

"I don't know what you fellas want me to say," Mets manager Casey Stengel told reporters after the game. "We stink. Print that. Hell, print whatever you want."

Thomas said, "I'm not giving up, and neither is anyone else in this room. We just have to keep coming to the ballpark and give it our best shot. It's too early to cash it in."

Catcher Jesse Gonder had three hits for the Mets, including two doubles, lifting his average to an even .300. Gonder has seven doubles in 50 at-bats.


Jesse Gonder is a microcosm of the Mets' season so far: he has 15 hits and seven doubles, is batting .300, yet has only scored one run



But, because he plays for the Mets, he didn't score off any of his three hits last night, and has scored just one run this season, despite all his doubles.

*****************************************
Mets record: 2-20, .091 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-9); Actual: 5-17

Home: 0-8; Away: 2-12

Runs scored: 56

Runs against: 131

Game 21: May 8, 1964 (St. Louis at Mets)

Mets' Popgun Offense Their Undoing Again, 2-1

Flushing, NY-- Ones were wild on the scoreboard last night at Shea Stadium, but they did the Mets absolutely no good.

The Mets' final line read: 1 run, 11 hits. Lots of ones, but they all added up to another loss as the St. Louis Cardinals beat them, 2-1.

It was the eighth straight loss for the 2-19 Mets.

The good news: the Mets raised their team BA from .220 to .224.

The bad news: they still can't push runners across the plate.

"It's like there's a force field between third and home," moaned left fielder Frank Thomas, who has two RBI in 82 at-bats.

The Mets nursed a 1-0 lead until the seventh, when the Cardinals struck for two runs--thanks to a two-run double by starting pitcher Ernie Broglio, who with one swing of the bat matched Thomas' RBI output for the season.

"That's the way it's been going," manager Casey Stengel said of his team's struggles.

Broglio pitched seven-plus innings, surrendering nine hits but just one run--a double off the bat of catcher Jesse Gonder that scored Ron Hunt in the fifth.


Broglio helped his own cause with a two-run double in the seventh


Hunt had two hits to lift his average to a team-leading .292.

Mets starter Jack Fisher was as inefficient as Broglio--giving up 10 hits in 7.1 innings--but Broglio's double was his undoing.

Fisher is 0-5 with a 6.82 ERA, down from 8.06 before yesterday.

The Mets have still yet to win in their new ballpark. falling to 0-7 at home.

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Mets record: 2-19, .095 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-8); Actual: 5-16

Home: 0-7; Away: 2-12

Runs scored: 55

Runs against: 126

Game 20: May 7, 1964 (Cincinnati at Mets)

Maloney, Reds Throttle Mets, 8-2

Flushing, NY-- Jim Maloney made one mistake and it left the ballpark. Other than that, he was superb---and even his mistake didn't prove costly.

Maloney pitched a four-hit complete game, leading the Cincinnati Reds to an easy 8-2 victory over the hapless New York Mets yesterday at Shea Stadium.

Maloney struck out six, walked one---and surrendered a two-run homer to Hawk Taylor, his only mistake of the afternoon.

"Couldn't do a thing with him," Mets manager Casey Stengel said of Maloney's performance. "But then again, he haven't been able to do a thing with anyone this year."

The Mets fell to 2-18 in losing their seventh straight.

Until the ninth, Maloney had only given up the home run to Taylor in the fourth inning and a single to Frank Thomas in the seventh.

Vada Pinson slugged a two-run, inside-the-park homer for the Reds. Pinson finished with three RBI.

Cincinnati jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third, partly thanks to two Mets errors in the frame.

After Taylor drew the Mets to within 3-2, the Reds added two runs in the fifth and three more in the eighth to coast to victory.

Maloney: one mistake, lots of success

The Mets remain winless in their new ballpark, falling to 0-6 at home.

"This is unbelievable," Thomas said of his team's offensive struggles. The Mets have scored just 54 runs in their first 20 games. "All we can do is keep plugging away."

"Everyone is trying to be the hero," Ron Hunt said. "That's what happens in a hitting slump---people try to do it all and it just makes things worse."

As for Maloney, he doesn't see the Mets as a laughingstock, despite their record.

"Any big league team can beat you," Maloney said. "I take every opponent seriously. After I gave up the homer, I was mad and just went after them."

The Mets best not make any pitcher mad, apparently---as if they don't have enough problems.

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Mets record: 2-18, .100 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-7); Actual: 4-16

Home: 0-6; Away: 2-12

Runs scored: 54

Runs against: 124

Game 19: May 6, 1964 (Cincinnati at Mets)

Stranded! Mets Score Two Runs on 11 Hits, Fall to Reds, 3-2

Flushing, NY-- Gordie Coleman's two-out single in the eighth inning scored Pete Rose with the go-ahead run, and the Cincinnati Reds held on to beat the Mets, 3-2, last night at Shea Stadium.

The Mets (2-17) stranded 10 runners in dropping their sixth straight.

The Mets' Charlie Smith hit his second home run in the seventh, a solo shot, to tie the game at 2-2, but reliever Galen Cisco couldn't keep the Reds off the board in the next inning.

The Mets had the bases loaded in the fourth with one out and a run in, but failed to cash in. They left two runners on base in both the sixth and eighth innings.

"It's so hard for us to score some gol-dang runs," Mets manager Casey Stengel said. "It's like pulling teeth---and I studied to be a dentist, so I know."

The loss went to Cisco, who fell to 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA.

"I let the boys down again today," Cisco said. "I made a bad pitch and he (Coleman) did what he was supposed to do."

Tim Harkness had three hits for the Mets, while Ron Hunt went hitless to continue his slump, which is now 5-for-29 to bring his BA from .346 to .288.

The Mets have now scored a paltry 52 runs in 19 games.

"Is it any wonder that we're 2-17?" Stengel asked.

Nope.

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Mets record: 2-17, .105 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-6); Actual: 3-16

Home: 0-5; Away: 2-12

Runs scored: 52

Runs against: 116

Game 18: May 5, 1964 (Mets at Milwaukee)

Mets Blow Three-Run Lead in Ninth, Fall to Braves in 13 Innings

Milwaukee-- The art of losing just got another exhibit in its museum.

The stumbling New York Mets suffered one of their most painful losses of this season yesterday in Milwaukee, blowing a 7-4 lead in the ninth before succumbing to the Braves, 9-7, in 13 innings at County Stadium.

Felipe Alou slugged a two-run homer off Jack Fisher to win it for the Braves in the 13th, after the Mets let their third win of the season slip through their butter fingers in the ninth.

Fisher, normally a starter, came on in the 13th because the Mets' depleted bullpen was running out of arms.

Fisher retired leadoff hitter Joe Torre, but then catcher Ed Bailey walked, setting up Alou's heroics.

The Braves erased a 7-4 deficit in the ninth off beleaguered reliever Larry Bearnarth.

With a man on first and one out, Mets second baseman Ron Hunt bobbled Lee Maye's ground ball, putting runners on first and second. But Eddie Mathews popped up, and the Mets were one out away from victory.

It was one out too many.

Hank Aaron lasered a double into the left center gap, scoring Maye and Ty Cline. Torre was up next, and he singled home Aaron to tie the game.

Alou's 13th-inning homer capped a great Braves comeback

The Mets built their lead by overcoming a 3-0 deficit with three runs in the second, two in the fourth, and two more in the ninth---the latter of which were supposed to be insurance runs.

Frank Thomas had three hits and an RBI for the Mets (2-16), who lost their fifth straight.

The Mets chased Braves starter Warren Spahn after just four innings.

"What can you say?" Mets manager Casey Stengel opined after the gut-wrencher. "Today was the story of us. When we play, I don't breathe for nine innings. Or 13, like today."

The Mets' 12-game road trip has finally come to an end. They went 1-11 on it.

"I'd like to say we're glad to go home, but we haven't won there, either," Stengel said.

The Old Professor is right; the Mets are 0-4 in new Shea Stadium.

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Mets record: 2-16, .111 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-5); Actual: 3-15

Home: 0-4; Away: 2-12

Runs scored: 50

Runs against: 113

Game 17: May 4, 1964 (Mets at Milwaukee)

Mets Come From Ahead Again and Lose, 4-3

Milwaukee-- The Mets haven't enjoyed very many leads this season, and the ones they've held have usually proven to be unsafe.

Such was the case last night in Milwaukee.

The Mets couldn't hold a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning as the Braves chipped away and eventually won in the bottom of the ninth, 4-3.

Catcher Ed Bailey singled home Hank Aaron from second base with one out in the ninth, giving the Braves the victory.

Bailey, who had four hits, was being pitched to thanks to an intentional walk to first baseman Joe Torre.

Mets manager Casey Stengel was playing for an inning-ending double play, but defied the odds, having right-handed reliever Larry Bearnarth skip facing the righty-batting Torre in order to pitch to the lefty-swinging Bailey.

"I'd do the same dadgum thing again," Stengel explained defiantly after the game. "Yes sir, I would."

The Mets (2-15) lost their fourth in a row.

Ron Hunt's solo home run in the fifth gave the Mets their 3-1 lead, behind the clutch pitching of starter Galen Cisco, who got out of one jam after another.

The Braves scored single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth to erase the deficit and win.

Cisco went one batter into the eighth before being lifted. He surrendered nine hits and struck out three, walking just one.

In the Braves' ninth, with one out, Aaron doubled to right center. That's when Stengel elected to walk Torre ("He's not chopped liver," Stengel said) in order to pitch to Bailey, despite the catcher's three straight hits.

Bailey made it four by dropping a flare into short right field. Aaron, displaying smart base running skills, easily beat Jim Hickman's throw home.

Bailey's fourth straight hit doomed the Mets

The Mets' seemingly interminable road trip (12 games) ends today in Milwaukee. So far, they're 1-10 on it.

Clay Carroll pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the victory for the Braves.

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Mets record: 2-15, .118 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-4); Actual: 3-14

Home: 0-4; Away: 2-11

Runs scored: 43

Runs against: 104

Game 16: May 3, 1964 (Mets at Cincinnati; DH #2)

Queen, Pinson Dingers Lead Reds to DH Sweep

Cincinnati-- Now it just takes two swings to beat the Mets.

The Reds' Mel Queen and Vada Pinson each hit home runs, and they accounted for the three runs necessary to beat the Mets, 4-2 and complete a doubleheader sweep at Crosley Field.

The Mets fell to 2-14 in what has fast become a nightmare season---already.

The Mets drew first blood off Reds starter John Tsitouris.

Tim Harkness led off the game with a single, and promptly stole second base. With two outs, George Altman knocked Harkness in with a clean single to right.

But that 1-0 lead didn't last long; no Mets lead ever does.

In the second, right fielder Queen ripped a fastball from Mets starter Jay Hook over the right field wall with Gordy Coleman on first base with a walk, moving the Reds ahead 2-1 and they never looked back.

Pinson went deep against Hook in the fifth, putting the Reds ahead 4-1.

Tsitouris went seven strong, giving up six hits, two runs and walking only one

"He was solid," Reds manager Fred Hutchinson said

The Reds committed two errors to the Mets' none, but it didn't matter as the Mets continue to sink like a stone.

"Our boys are scuffling," Mets manager Casey Stengel said. "They are all gripping the bats like they're trying to squeeze blood out of it."

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Mets record: 2-14, .125 (Last 10: 1-9; streak: L-3); Actual: 3-13

Home: 0-4; Away: 2-10

Runs scored: 40

Runs against: 100