August 18, 1964: Christopher Slugs Pirates

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Date: August 18, 1964

Mets starter: Al Jackson

Mets: 7

Pirates: 3

Winning pitcher: Al Jackson

Key player(s): Joe Christopher, Al Jackson

Key play: Christopher's 2 triples & homer, Jackson's triple

The Mets played the Pirates on a Tuesday night at Shea Stadium. For the Mets, Al Jackson pitched a complete game and Joe Christopher had four extra-base hits to lead the team to victory. The final score was 7-3.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Mets got started against Pittsburgh's Joe Gibbon. Ron Hunt got a one-out single and moved to second base on an error by Pirate first baseman Donn Clendenon. Christopher followed with a triple to score Hunt with the first run of the game. The Mets added another run in the fourth when Chris Cannizzaro led off with a double and later came home on a triple by Jackson.

Christopher led off the fifth inning with his second triple of the game. Joe scored on Jim Hickman's double that followed to make it a 3-0 Mets lead. After Gibbon was replaced by Pittsburgh reliever Roy Face, Hickman advanced to third on an out and came home on Ed Kranepool's single for the Mets' fourth run.

For the Pirates, Bob Bailey singled off Jackson to start the top of the sixth. Two force play grounders followed and Gene Freese hit a two-run homer. Clendenon then drew a walk and Jackson got Bill Mazeroski on a grounder back to the mound to end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hunt got a one-out single off Face. Christopher then connected for a home run to extend the Met lead to 6-2. Later in the inning, Cannizzaro singled to score Hickman with another New York run.

Jackson and the Pirates' Tommie Sisk each pitched scoreless seventh and eoghth innings. In the ninth, Jackson gave up three Pittsburgh singles, the last one being to Bailey to score Mazeroski. Al then got Manny Mota on a fly ball to right fielder Christopher for the final out of the game. The Mets had their third win in a row.

Notes

• In addition to his homer and two triples, Christopher also doubled in the third inning.
• Pirates' outfielder Roberto Clemente celebrated his 30th birthday on this day. In the game, Clemente had a single and a run scored.