Stan Spencer was only making his second career start at the Major League level and largely held the Mets in check. He didn't allow a hit until Lenny Harris singled with 1 out in the 5th (which Tim McCarver deserves credit for as he jinxed the no-hitter by mentioning it mere seconds before Harris got his single). But then Edgardo Alfonzo homered off him in the 6th, and Brian McRae led off the 7th with another homer. Harris followed with a double, and that brought in Dan Miceli from the pen.

Miceli got 2 quick outs but then the Mets went on a roll, as Matt Franco (who questionably came in for John Olerud during a double switch very early on) hit an RBI single, Jay Payton singled on the first pitch he saw as a big-leaguer, and Alfonzo walked, loading the bases for pinch-hitter Jorge Fabregas. Fabregas knocked in 2 with a single (his last hit as a Met it would turn out), and Piazza followed with a 3-run homer to RF. The comeback complete, turning a 6-1 deficit into an 8-6 lead.

But the usually ultra-reliable Wendell couldn't hold it, as he allowed a single to Greg Vaughn and a 2-run homer to Steve Finley. Wendell had just tied a Mets record by appearing in 17 games in August, and was obviously showing signs of overuse. After the homer, he put 2 more on base with one out before giving way to Cook. Dennis' first pitch hit Jim Leyritz to load the bases, and he then walked Quilvio Veras to force in the go-ahead run. The Padres didn't have another baserunner the rest of the game, but the damage was done. Donne Wall struck out the side in the 8th, and Trevor Hoffman got Alfonzo to ground into a double play to end the game for his 45th save of the season, which set a new single-season record for the Padres.

Hideo Nomo, who turned 30 the day before, was coming off his only complete game as a Met vs. the Giants his last time out. But he was hideous in this one, giving up 2 bombs to Vaughn and lasted only 4 innings. It would be his second-to-last start as a Met, as his inconsistency would banish him from the rotation for most of September. Along with Payton, Rigo Beltran made his Mets debut as well, tossing a scoreless inning in relief. Mel Rojas also pitched in this one and characteristically allowed a run in his one inning of work, although he was ironically lined up to get the win as he was still the pitcher of record when the Mets had their 7-run rally. This would be Rojas' second-to-last appearance with the team as well.

Wendell took the loss, which was his first as a member of the Mets -- a span of 64 appearances. He wouldn't lose again until July of the following season. Former Met Randy Myers, who recorded the final out of the 7th inning, got the win for San Diego. It would be the last of his career, as he'd suffer a shoulder injury and be forced to retire a few years later after numerous comeback attempts.