Bob P
February 2, 2004
The Mets head into this three game weekend series in Pittsburgh 2.5 games behind the Pirates with seven games to go.
The Pirates are up, 2-0, going to the seventh. Ken Boswell leads off with a walk and then Jerry Grote singles him to third. The Pirates go to the bullpen, as Dave Giusti replaces Bob Moose. Bud Harrelson strikes out, but pinch-hitter Ed Kranepool singles to drive in a run. Tommie Agee singles and the bases are loaded. Wayne Garrett walks to tie the game, but the Pirates then bring in veteran Mudcat Grant, who gets Cleon to ground into a double play.
In the bottom of the seventh, Dean Chance makes one of his three appearances in a Met uniform and gives up a single, wild pitch, and sac bunt. Tug McGraw comes in and with two outs, Matty Alou singles to give the Pirates another lead.
In the top of the eighth, LF Willie Stargell throws out Boswell trying to score from second on a two-out single by Harrelson. Stargell then singles in the bottom of the eighth to give the Pirates a 2-run cushion.
In the ninth, Ron Swoboda drew a walk to lead off, Tommie Agee doubled him home, and pinch- hitter Joe Foy walked, putting runners at first and second with nobody out. But Cleon Jones flied out, and then Art Shamsky struck out while Agee was thrown out trying to steal third, and the game and season were over.
The Pirates went on to sweep the series, winning all three games by one run, and clinch the NL East.
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The Mets suck! Smith made three errors in this game, and hit into a
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