Mets Sweep Padres

Game 1

 

Mets 3 Padres 1

Jerry Koosman pitched 8 2/3 allowing only 4 hits and 1 run, despite walking 5 (6 Ks) as he won his first game of the season (1-3). Keith Hernandez was the hitting star for the Mets as he doubled in a run in the second and hit a solo HR (4) in the 9^th for an insurance run. In between, Lenny Dykstra singled in a run as the Mets took a 3-0 lead into the 9^th. Koosman lost his shutout bid when Cito Gaston hit a solo HR (3) leading off the 9^th. Koosman retired the next two batters but a tiring Koosman then walked Ivan Murrell – bringing Tug McGraw into the game. McGraw ended the threat to pick up his 4^th save of the season.

Ed Whitson was the starter and loser (0-3) despite pitching a solid game (8 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 0 W, 9 K).

Game 2

 

Mets 2 Padres 1    14 innings

A tense battle between the two teams as the series shifted to Shea Stadium. Darryl Strawberry put the Mets ahead in the 4^th with a solo HR (1). With Gary Gentry throwing bullets, the Mets took a 1-0 lead into the 9^th-and for the second day in a row the Padres got a 2 out HR in the 9^th – this time by Nate Colbert (3) and this time it tied the game! The game stayed tied until the 14^th inning when Howard Johnson singled in the game winner off reliever Mark Grant who took the loss (0-2). Tug McGraw got the win for the Mets as he pitched 4 sensational innings, allowing 0 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4, as he improved to 2-1 on the year.

Gentry, in 8 2/3, allowed only 7 hits and the 1 run while walking none and striking out 7 as he lowered his ERA to 2.37. Walt Terrell, an ex-Met, was solid for San Diego as he allowed only 4 hits and 1 run over 7 innings.

Game 3

 

Mets 11 Padres 2

After two close games, it was all Mets in this one as the Mets belted FIVE HRs – 2 each by Mookie Wilson and Howard Johnson and one by Darryl Strawberry.  Wilson led off the bottom of the first with a HR (2) and Howard Johnson hit a 2 run shot (1) later in the inning as Dennis Rasumussen did not have it today for the Padres.

After the Pads pulled to within 3-2 the Mets put the game away in the 5^th when Straw hit a 2 run shot, his 5^th of the year – and HoJo hit a solo shot (2). In the 7^th, the Mets scored 5 more as PH Greg Jeffries drove in a run with a sac fly, pitcher McAndrew helped his cause with an RBI double and Mookie capped off a great game with a 3 run HR (3).

Mookie went 3-5 with2 HRs, 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored to lead the Mets to victory. Jim McAndrew got the complete game win, scattering 10 hits, walking one and striking out 3 as he improved to 2-1 on the season. Rasumussen struggled, giving up 6 earned runs in 4 2/3 as his record dropped to 0-2.

The Mets are now 10-7 and in contention for the lead in the NL East. San Diego drops to 2-15, last in the NL West.

Next up: the Mets play a four game series against the division leading Washington 2014/2017 Nationals. San Diego will play fourth place San Francisco 1967/2000.

Thanks to Joey for playing on line on Saturday afternoon