August 24, 1995: Three-Run Ninth Beats Padres
From The Met Wiki
| Date: August 24, 1995 |
| Mets starter: Dave Mlicki |
| Mets: 5 |
| Padres: 4 |
| Winning pitcher: Don Florence |
| Key player(s): Ryan Thompson, Chris Jones |
| Key play: Thompson's & Jones' singles in 9th |
The Mets and Padres began a four-game series on a Thursday night at Shea Stadium. Twice during the game, the Mets came back after being two runs behind. They came up with a 5-4 win with three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Dave Mlicki and San Diego's Joey Hamilton each started the game with three scoreless innings. The Padres got a run in the fourth when Ken Caminiti scored on a sacrifice fly by Brad Ausmus. In the sixth, Ausmus hit another sacrifice fly on which Tony Gwynn came home for a 2-0 San Diego lead.
In the seventh, Jeff Kent homered off Hamilton for the Mets' first run of the game. Rico Brogna followed with a double and later scored on Bill Spiers' two-out single to tie the game. The Padres regained a two-run lead on Joey Reed's double that brought home Caminiti and Ausmus in the top of the eighth inning.
Mets' reliever Don Florence retired Gwynn on a double play to end the top of the ninth. Against San Diego's Trevor Hoffman in the bottom half, Carl Everett led off with a single and advanced to third base on a one-out single by Brogna. Hoffman then threw a wild pitch that allowed Everett to score and move pinch-runner Tim Bogar to second base. Ryan Thompson followed with a single that brought home Bogar to tie the game and went to second when left fielder Bip Roberts mishandled the hit.
After intentionally walking Spiers, Hoffman was replaced by reliever Doug Bochtler. Kelly Stinnett struck out and Chris Jones came up to the plate. Jones hit Bochtler's pitch into right field for a single to score Thompson. The Mets had a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
