August 4, 1962: Thomas's Homer Gives Mets Sweep
From The Met Wiki
| Date: August 4, 1962 |
| Mets starter: Bob L. Miller |
| Mets: 3 |
| Reds: 2 |
| Winning pitcher: Bob G. Miller |
| Key player(s): Frank Thomas, Ken MacKenzie |
| Key play: Thomas's home run in 14th |
After winning the first game of a doubleheader, the Mets looked for a sweep of the Reds at the Polo Grounds. The second game lasted 4 hours and 20 minutes as the teams battled for 14 innings. The Mets came out with a 3-2 win on a home run by Frank Thomas.
The Reds got a run against Mets' starter Bob L. Miller in the first inning. Eddie Kasko led off with a single and moved to second base on a ground out. Kasko scored on Vada Pinson's single for a 1-0 Cincinnati lead. The Reds also got two singles in the third from Don Blasingame and Pinson, but did not score.
In the fourth, Felix Mantilla got a two-out single for the Mets' first hit off Cincinnati starter Joe Nuxhall. Thomas followed with a walk and Jim Hickman doubled to score Mantilla with the tying run. The Reds then took a 2-1 lead when Jerry Lynch singled home Pinson in the top of the sixth.
Charlie Neal hit a triple off Nuxhall to start the bottom of the eighth inning. After Mantilla flied out to center fielder Pinson, Thomas hit a longer fly to center on which Neal came home after Pinson's catch. The game was tied at 2-2.
In the top of the ninth, the Reds loaded the bases with one out against the Mets' Willard Hunter. In relief, Ken MacKenzie got Kasko on a short fly to right and struck out pinch-hitter Leo Cardenas to end the inning. The Mets were then retired in order by Cincinnati's Bill Henry in the bottom of the inning.
MacKenzie pitched two-hit scoreless ball from the tenth inning to the thirteenth. Meanwhile, the Mets were being shut down by Henry and reliever Moe Drabowsky. Mets' lefthanded Bob G. Miller then retired the Reds in order in the top of the 14th inning.
Thomas led off the bottom of the 14th for the Mets. Frank ripped into a pitch from Drabowsky for a game-ending home run. The Mets had an exciting victory and a sweep of the twinbill.
