August 17, 1969, New York: Mets 3, Padres 2 (box score); Mets 3, Padres 2 (box score)
Researching and writing about the 1969 Padres is affecting me in a couple different ways. First, it’s depressing the heck out of me to realize just how terrible that inaugural team was. Second, it’s making me appreciate the current state of affairs that much more. Funny what a little historical perspective can do to brighten the mood.
On this Sunday in August, the Padres lost their second straight doubleheader to the New York Mets, who were on their way to a miracle. The Mets famously overtook the Chicago Cubs late in the season to win the NL Pennant and, ultimately, the World Series. I’d like to tell you that the Padres had something to do with this, but the truth is that both the Mets and the Cubs went 11-1 against San Diego.
Back to the games at hand, the Padres actually were competitive in both. In the opener, they took an early 1-0 lead against left-hander Jerry Koosman on a single by Roberto Pena, double by Ollie Brown, and groundout by Ivan Murrell. As frequently was the case, they could have done even more damage in the first inning after having loaded the bases with one out, but they did not.
San Diego extended its lead in the fifth. With one out, Tommy Dean drew a walk. After starting pitcher Joe Niekro moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt, Jose Arcia singled to right, plating Dean to make the score 2-0.
Niekro immediately coughed up the lead, serving a three-run homer to rookie catcher Duffy Dyer in the bottom half. The Padres managed just two singles against Koosman the rest of the way, as the Mets held on to win, 3-2.
The nightcap featured Clay Kirby and journeyman right-hander Don Cardwell. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning, when New York erupted for three runs. A Bud Harrelson triple was the big blow.
The Padres cut the lead in the eighth. Brown reached on an error by first baseman Ed Kranepool to start the frame. Al Ferrara and Larry Stahl followed with singles to make the score 3-1. After a Murrell sacrifice bunt against reliever Ron Taylor, Ed Spiezio drove home the Padres’ second run with a grounder to second. Taylor then retired Pena on a popup to first, leaving Stahl at third and preserving the Mets’ lead.
Cardwell improved his record to 5-9, while Kirby fell to 3-16. The Mets now found themselves eight games back of Chicago with 45 remaining on the schedule.
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