1975 Reds Replay 90: 1969 Mets

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?

Cincinnati’s longest winning streak of the season came to an end as the Reds fell 6-4 to the New York Mets at Riverfront Stadium.

The Mets got started early and never trailed as Reds pitcher Jack Billingham (9-3) suffered the loss.

Run-scoring singles in the first inning by Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky put the Mets on top 2-0.

George Foster‘s RBI single in the bottom of the frame closed the gap to 2-1.

The Reds tied the contest in the second as Pete Rose drove in a run with a single.

Both teams added runs in the third. Donn Clendenon gave the Mets a 3-2 advantage with a RBI single, while Tony Perez knocked in a run for the Reds with a double to tie the contest.

Two homers by the Mets in the fifth ended the day for Billingham.

With one out, Agee blasted a solo shot to give the Mets the lead for good. After Clendenon walked, Shamsky banged a two-run homer and the Mets were in front 6-3.

Foster’s single in the bottom of the fifth off Mets starter Don Cardwell produced the final run of the affair.

Cardwell went the distance to pick up the victory as he gave up nine hits with four strikeouts.

Clay Kirby (0-3) will get the start for the Reds in the series finale of the four-game set, while the Mets will counter with Nolan Ryan.

National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)

East Division
1969 Mets (5-3)
1971 Pirates (3-2)
2016 Cubs (3-4)
1975 Expos (2-4)
1967 Cardinals (1-4)
2008 Phillies (1-9)

West Division
1975 Reds (59-31)
1954 Giants (2-2)
2017 Astros (5-8)
1957 Braves (4-7)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
1975 Padres (3-11)