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.

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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."
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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.


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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.


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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