September 29, 1962: Mets Win 40th Game of Season
From The Met Wiki
| Date: September 29, 1962 |
| Mets starter: Bob L. Miller |
| Mets: 2 |
| Cubs: 1 |
| Winning pitcher: Bob L. Miller |
| Key player(s): Bob L. Miller, Marv Throneberry |
| Key play: Throneberry’s double in 7th |
The Mets faced the Cubs on a Saturday afternoon in Chicago. The teams played the penultimate game of the regular season in front of a sparse Wrigley Field crowd. The Mets came out with their 40th and final win of the year by a score of 2-1.
Elio Chacon began the top of the first inning with a single off Cubs’ starter Dick Ellsworth. Chacon moved to second base on Sammy Drake’s ground out and scored on Joe Christopher’s ensuing single. Ellsworth retired Frank Thomas and Felix Mantilla on grounders to shortstop Andre Rodgers for the final outs of the inning. Mets’ starter Bob L. Miller then pitched a perfect bottom half.
Ellsworth set down the Mets in order in the top of the second. In the bottom of the inning, Ernie Banks led off with a home run to tie the game at 1-1. Miller completed the inning with no further scoring despite singles by Nelson Mathews and Dick Bertell and shortstop Chacon’s error of Rodgers’ ground ball. From the third inning to the sixth, Miller shut down Chicago on three hits while Ellsworth pitched scoreless and hitless ball with four strikeouts.
Jim Hickman hit a one-out single to left field in the top of the seventh inning. Thomas tried to score from second base on the hit, but was out at home on a relay throw by shortstop Rodgers. Marv Throneberry followed with a double that brought home Hickman and put the Mets in front by a run. Ellsworth issued an intentional walk to Chris Cannizzaro and retired Miller on a grounder to second baseman Ken Hubbs. Bob then held the Cubs scoreless in the bottom half, ending the inning with a double play from Ron Santo.
The Mets failed to score against relievers Dave Gerard and Barney Schultz in the top of the eighth. Miller retired the side in order on three ground balls in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the ninth, Throneberry got his second hit of the game with a one-out single to right field. Schultz then got Cannizzaro to hit into an inning-ending double play.
Miller pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth inning to end the game. The Mets had their 40th victory of their inaugural season. For Miller, the win was his only one of the year after twelve losing decisions.
