Mets beat Astros to win the wild card and advance in the playoffs

Shea Stadium
Ryan vs Seaver
Mets 8 Astros 7

Darryl Strawberry hit a game winning lead off HR (11) in the bottom of the 9^th, off lefty reliever Frank DiPino to give the Mets the win. It was a crazy game, starting out as a classic matchup between the Mets Tom Seaver and the Astros (or is he the Mets) Nolan Ryan. The expected pitcher’s duel did not materialize as Ryan was injured in the first inning and had to leave the game – and Seaver was tagged for 7 runs in 6 innings. A healthy Ryan relieved Seaver for the METS in the 7^th and pitched a scoreless inning. Two Team Nolan they are now calling him J

After the Mets took a 1-0 lead in the first, the Stros came back with 3 in the 2d on a bases loaded, bases clearing, double by catcher Mike Meluskey. The Mets came back with one in the bottom of the second and two in the third to take a 4-3 lead.  In the 4^th, Lenny Dykstra hit a 2 run HR to give the Mets an apparently comfortable 6-3 lead. But Seaver gave it back as Houston scored four in the 5^th with Jeff Bagwell getting the big hit – a 2 RBI double. 7-6 Houston after 5. The red hot Dykstra singled in another run in the 6^th to tie the game at 7 – and that set the stage for Strawberry’s walk off blast.

Dykstra was 4-5 with 2 run scored, a HR and 4 RBIs. He also stole three bases as the Mets stole 6 bases in 6 attempts. Ron Taylor (3-0) won it in relief for the Mets with 2 hitless innings. DiPino (1-3) took the loss. After Ryan was injured Danny Darwin replaced him and was himself injured- and had to leave the game – after 1 inning of pitching. Relievers Charlie Kerfeld and Aurelio Lopez  gave up 5 runs combined in 2  2/3 innings before Larry Andersen came on and blew the save (1) giving up the game tying hit to Dykstra.

The Mets (22-17) eliminate the Astros (21-18) and will advance to the divisional round to play Pittsburgh, while the Cubs and Dodgers battle in the other divisional series.