Editor’s note: How good were the 1975 Cincinnati Reds? The best way to end the speculation is to challenge the team with a 162-game season against some great teams. This is a series that will include each game played with the Strat-o-Matic cards and dice, while hoping to reach the 108-54 record that the Reds had that season. Game stories will be published periodically on Press Room Pass through out the year. What’s your predicted victory total?
The New York Mets exploded for five home runs as they defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 at Riverfront Stadium.
After a scoreless first inning, the Mets got a jump start from Art Shamsky, who hit a solo homer off Reds starter Gary Nolan.
New York got on a roll in the third. Nolan could only get two outs as the Mets built a 5-0 advantage.
Wayne Garrett blasted a two-run homer and Cleon Jones followed with a solo shot, while Shamsky added a RBI single.
J.C. Martin hit the fourth long ball for the Mets off Clay Kirby in the fourth and it was 6-0.
Kirby was tagged for a home run in the fifth by Tommie Agee, who put the Mets on top by seven.
Cincinnati scored its only run in the sixth when Pete Rose begin the inning with a triple. One out later, Joe Morgan drove in Rose with a single.
Back-to-back RBI singles in the ninth by Agee and Shamsky added the final runs for the Mets.
Jerry Koosman tossed a complete game to get the win for the Mets as he scattered 10 hits and fanned seven.
Nolan (5-3) took the loss for the Reds as he gave way to Kirby, Clay Carroll and Pedro Borbon.
The Reds continues their eight-game homestand as the Philadelphia Phillies visit Cincinnati.
Fred Norman (3-4) is slated to take the mound for the Reds with Brett Myers going for Philadelphia.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (4-1)
1975 Expos (1-2)
2008 Phillies (1-3)
1967 Cardinals (0-0)
1971 Pirates (0-0)
2016 Cubs (0-0)
West Division
1975 Reds (26-15)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (2-3)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (2-5)
1975 Padres (1-5)