Ultimate Subway Series-Mets Play-In Series

Mets Play-In Game: Best 3 out of 5

8. 1985 Mets VS. 9. 1976 Mets

Game 1

Home: Mets 85-Gooden

Away: Mets 76- Seaver

In an exciting game 1 of the play-in series, the 1976 Mets took an early lead thanks to a Wayne Garret 2-run home run off of Doc Gooden. The 85 Mets scratched back, taking a 4-3 lead. But then in the 8^th, Dave King Kong Kingman crushed a 2-run homer off of Roger McDowell sealing the 76 victory 5-4

Game MVP-Dave Kingman, 3RBIs and 1 Homer

76 Mets win 5-4

Game 2

Home: Mets 85-Sid Fernandez

Away: Mets 76-Koosman

In another tight game the 85 Mets pulled off the late inning heroics, coming back from a 4-2 deficit in the 8^th inning thanks to a bases loaded double by Rafael Santana. Sid Fernandez only lasted 4 innings, but the 85 Mets bullpen was stellar, only giving up 3 baserunners in 5 innings.

Game MVP-Rafael Santana-3RBIs

85 Mets win 6-4

Game 3

Home: Mets 76-John Matlack

Away: Mets 85- Ron Darling

The 76 Mets handled the 85 bullpen easily in this one, scoring 3 runs in just 2 innings of relief work. John Matlack shut down the 85 Mets offense as the team now faces elimination before the true tournament even begins.

Game MVP-John Milner-4RBIs, 1 Home Run

76 Mets win 6-2

Game 4

Home: Mets 76-Tom Seaver

Away: Mets 85-Dwight Gooden

On the brink of elimination the 85 Mets elect to start Dwight Gooden and the 76 Mets counter by returning Tom Seaver, their game 1 starter to the mound. A pitcher’s duel through 7 innings the 76 Mets were winning 2-1 in the top of the 8^th when Darryl Strawberry came up with 2 men on and hit a line drive home run over the RF wall, giving the 85 Mets a 4-2 lead. Straw’s homer was enough and the 85 Mets were able to force a game 5, at home.

Game MVP-Darryl Strawberry-3 RBIs, 1 Home Run

85 Mets win 4-2

Game 5

Home: Mets 85-Sid Fernandez

Away: Mets 76-Jerry Koosman

The final game of the series was decided in a rematch of the game 2 starters. And the game like every other in the series was a late-inning nail biter. The 76 Mets took the lead early with a John Milner homer in the 3^rd inning followed by 2 quick runs in the 5^th. Koosman had been stifling the Mets’ hitters through 6 innings, allowing only 4 hits. But then he plunked Gary Carter in the arm to start the 7^th, who came around to score on a Howard Johnson single, The 8^th started even worse for Koosman, following back to back singles, a sacrifice fly and three more hits, the 85 Mets had tied the game up at 3 apiece and had the bases loaded with only one out. Koosman was replaced by Bob Apodaca who managed to get Rafael Santana to end into an inning ending 5-2-3 double play. Entering the 9^th inning Jesse Orosco replaced Sid Fernandez and threw an easy 1,2, 3 inning. The bottom of the 9^th, was also the bottom of the order for the 85 Mets and looked as though the game would go into extra innings. Howard Johnson grounded out to start the frame; Lenny Dykstra came in as a pinch-hitter for Orosco and smoked a single. Wally Backman came to the plate a rocketed a triple into the gap, Dysktra scored and the 85 Mets took the series 3 games to 2.

Game MVP-Wally Backman-Walkoff triple

85 Mets win 4-3

Again thanks to Whatifsports.com’s SimMatchup technology for making this possible. The official opening round of the Mets series will begin shortly; I hope you enjoyed the play-in battle.

-Mose