Winning the first game of the post season was a huge step for the Mets. At least they knew they would not return home down two games to none. Even if the Mets lost game 2, they would have to win two of three at home to move on to the World Series. The Mets had to feel confident knowing they did that often at Shea Stadium in 1969. 

October 5, 1969, NLCS Game 2

Atlanta Stadium – Leading the series one game to nothing, game 2 would pit Mets left handed pitcher Jerry Koosman against Atlanta Braves hurler Ron Reed.

The Mets got off to a quick start when in the first inning, they loaded the bases. With two outs Ed Kranepool singled to right scoring Tommie Agee. After an inning the Mets had a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, Koosman walked the first man he faced but then struck out Tony Gonzales before Hammerin’ Hank Aaron hit into a double play.

In the second, the Mets bats went to work again. After Koosman worked out a walk, Tommie Agee launched a two run homerun. Then with two outs, Cleon Jones doubled before Art Shamsky drove him home with a single. With the Mets leading 4-0, Atlanta manager Lum Harris, pulled Reed and brought in Paul Doyle who recorded the final out of the inning.

Koosman got the Braves out in order in the second. The Mets rallied again in the third scoring two more runs knocking out Doyle who was replaced by Milt Papas. The Mets led 6-0 after three innings but weren’t done there. In the fourth, Ken Boswell socked a two run homer putting the Mets up 8-0.

The Braves finally got on the board off of Koosman when in the bottom of the fourth, Rico Carty doubled, then Orlando Cepeda doubled him home. So after four innings of play the Mets were in good shape leading 8-1.

More runs scored in the fifth. After two outs, Wayne Garrett doubled followed by an RBI single off the bat of Cleon Jones. Heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, the Mets led 9-1. While the Atlanta faithful were glum, Mets fans were giddy.

However, nothing is ever easy. In the Braves fifth, Koosman got himself into a pile of trouble. Jerry got the first two Braves out without any problem but then the wheels fell off.

Felix Millan singled to right. Gonzales worked out a walk then Hank Aaron blasted a three run homer to reduce the Braves deficit to five runs (9-4). But Atlanta wasn’t finished.

Koosman walked Rico Carty. Cepeda doubled to put runners on second and third. Clete Boyer singled up the middle scoring both Carty and Cepeda. Gil Hodges had seen enough and pulled Koosman replacing him with veteran Ron Taylor who got the final out of the inning. What was a laugher was now only a three run lead for the Mets. After five, the Mets led 9-6.

After a scoreless sixth, the Mets came to bat in the top of the seventh. Tommie Agee walked with one out. Then with two outs, Cleon Jones hit a two run homerun giving the Mets a bit more cushion. In the middle of the seventh, the Mets led 11-6.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hodges brought in Tug McGraw. Accept for an error by Bud Harrelson, McGraw got through the seventh and eighth without any problem. But in the Braves ninth, McGraw walked Millan before Gonzales singled. With no outs and runners on first and second, McGraw got Aaron looking at strike three before he induced Rico Carty to hit into a 4-6-3 double play ending the ballgame.

So the pitching rich, light hitting Mets pummeled Braves pitching in the two games in Atlanta. They scored 20 runs on 23 hits and slugged three home runs. But uncharacteristically, Mets pitching gave up 11 runs on 19 hits. Never the less, the Mets were heading back to Shea Stadium for game three the next afternoon in a commanding position.

All the Mets needed to do was to win one game at home where the Mets dominated opponents during the regular season with a 52-30 record. One more win out of three chances and the Mets would be National League Champions.