National League Standings, August 22, 1998
METS FANS SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE AUGUST 22, 1998 GAME:
NYB Buff
September 11, 2023
Mike Piazza hit a grand slam in the second inning to put the Mets ahead to stay in this game. It was the first of six slams that Piazza would have as a Met to establish a team record.
Dave VW
March 4, 2024
To build off NYB Buff's post, Piazza's grand slam would be the only one the Mets hit in all of 1998. However, it was Piazza's 4th -- his other 3 came with the Dodgers. The 6-run explosion in the bottom of the 2nd was particularly nice to see as the D'backs had just gone up 4-0 in the top of the inning. But Bobby Jones only allowed 3 more hits the rest of the day, and Dennis Cook capped off the win with 2 hitless innings of relief.
Pitching on 3 days rest, Jones went 7 innings to get the victory. Sadly, though, it was his last win of the season. Over his remaining 5 starts he went 0-2, though he didn't pitch poorly with a 4.09 ERA. He just didn't get much run support.
On the other side, this was Andy Benes' worst of 24 career starts against the Mets. Though while he looked like toast, the crazy thing is he was phenomenal over the rest of 1998, allowing just 3 runs total over his 6 remaining starts.
Back to Piazza, he also made a fantastic catch on a foul pop up in the 3rd when he slid on his knees and had his momentum carry him into the Arizona dugout, where he crashed off the steps and onto the floor. Luckily, he was all right, but I hope Valentine planned to give him the next day off to allow his body to recuperate.
This win brought the Mets to 15 games over .500 for the first time all season. A Cubs loss to Randy Johnson and the Astros this afternoon also put the Mets all alone in the wildcard lead.
Now it's your turn! Tell us what you remember of this game:
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The Mets suck! Smith made three errors in this game, and hit into a
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and get somebody like Jones.
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