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Mets Games Played On This Date: April 8

 



The 1969 Opening Day loss to the expansion Expos, Michael Conforto's walk-off HBP, George Foster makes his Mets debut in 1982 and Max Scherzer's first game as a Met. 

Section Links: 10 Years ago today; 20 Years ago today; 30 Years ago today; 40 Years ago today; 53 Years ago today; 


1 year ago today: 


Year: 2023; Game # 9; Saturday, Apr 8; NYM 5 Vs. MIA 2; boxscore; WP: Senga; LP: Rogers; Save: Robertson; Time: 2:39; Day; Attendance: 42,306; Record: 5-4; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1; W

Kodai Senga with a second straight strong outing to start the season as Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar go deep.


From the Mets' 4/8/23  Post Game Notes: 

  • Mets: Have won their first two home games of the season for the first time since 2018...Is the 12th time in franchise history the Mets have won their first two home games of the season...Was the first time in Citi Field history that the first two home games of the year have been sellouts.
  • Kodai Senga (6.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K): Has 14 strikeouts in the first two starts of his career, tied with Steven Matz for the second-most by a Met to begin their major league career. 
  • Pete Alonso (1-3, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB): Blasted a two-run homer in the fifth...Has five home runs this season through nine games, tied with John Buck (2013) Jeff Kent (1994) and Darryl Strawberry (1987) for the second-most by a Met in their first nine games of the season...Dave Kingman owns the franchise record for most home runs through the first nine games of the season with seven.
  • Jeff McNeil (1-3, 2B, RBI, R, BB): Put the Mets on the board after drawing a bases loaded walk in the first.
  • Eduardo Escobar (1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R): Lined a two-homer in the sixth, snapping an 0-8 drought with runners in scoring position to start the season.


Brian Joura Mets360.com: "Kodai Senga didn’t have to wait 20 minutes to take the mound in his second start. The result was a smooth first inning and a fine six innings. Combined with long balls from Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar, it all added up to a 5-2 win for the Mets Saturday afternoon at Citi Field." (Subscription required) 

Metstradamus: Meeting The Moment - "Kodai Senga seems like he’s going to be the focal point of any game that he pitches. Considering the fact that he chose to pitch in the most intense media market in the world, I’m sure he’s fine with that." 

Tim Britton The Athletic: "On a day when the Mets, finally, started to show some depth in their lineup, Alonso served up a reminder that he remains its central force — the one player capable of consistently altering the landscape of a game in the span of a single pitch. Through nine games, Alonso has five home runs. His 25 teammates have five as well." (Subscription required) 

Anthony Rieber Newsday: Mets roll past lowly Marlins again. "The Mets improved to 5-1 against Miami (and 5-4 overall). As the Mets continue to face and beat the Marlins, those three demoralizing defeats in Milwaukee last week are starting to fade away like one of Senga’s ghost forkballs."


Year: 2022; Game#2; Friday  Apr 8, NYM 7 @ ;WSN; 3; boxscore;  WP: Scherzer; LP: Gray; Time: 3:43; NIGHT; Attendance: 25,677;  Record: 2-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: up 0.5; W;


Brandon Nimmo CF 2 for 5, triple, 1 run scored, 3 Ks; Starling Marte RF 2 for 6, double, 3 RBIs; Francisco Lindor SS 0 for 1, 1 run scored, 1 walk, 1 HBP; Pete Alonso 1B 1 for 5, double, 1 run scored, 2 Ks; Eduardo Escobar 3B 1 for 3, 1 run scored, 2 walks, 1 K; Robinson Cano DH 1 for 4, 2 RBIs, 1 K; Mark Canha LF 2 for 3, 1 run scored, 2 walks, 1 K; Jeff McNeil 2B 3 for 4, HR, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 1 walk; Tomás Nido C 1 for 4; Max Scherzer (W, 1-0) 6 innings, 3 runs - all earned, 3 hits, 1 HR, 1 walk, 6 Ks; 


NY Post: Max Scherzer, Mets’ offense come up big in testy win over Nationals. On a night that was supposed to be about Mad Max, the Mets were just plain mad. Francisco Lindor became the fourth Mets batter in 14 innings to leave an at-bat bruised, which set off a benches-clearing skirmish in what became a 7-3 win over the Nationals on Friday night in Max Scherzer’s Mets debut.


John Harper SNY.TV: Max Scherzer's gritty outing, team's benches-clearing defense of Francisco Lindor highlight developing difference in 2022 Mets. The Mets didn't back down from the Nationals in Friday's 7-3 win.

Mets360: "And while the storyline coming into the game was Scherzer’s return to Washington, the real story was the Mets’ offense again being productive, this time rapping out 13 hits. And this time we saw some sock, as the Mets had five extra-base hits, including a solo homer from Jeff McNeil. It was a 3-hit night for McNeil, who also drew a walk in the game. " (Subscription required)

Metstradamus: "Speaking of Scherzer...He struck out six in six inning stint while giving up three runs. Two of these runs came on a 443 foot bomb by Josh Bell which tied the game at 3-3...Scherzer, great as he is, is going to give up bombs. We’re probably going to have to get used to that (although I’m sure that collectively, we won’t.)"






Year: 2021; Game#4; Thursday  Apr 8 NYM 3 Vs. ;MIA; 2; boxscore;  WP: Diaz; LP: Bass; Time: 3:18; DAY; Attendance: 8,492;  Record: 2-2; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 2; W-wo;


Michael Conforto RF 0 for 2, RBI, HBP, walk, 1 K; Pete Alonso 1B 0 for 2, 2 walks, 1 K; eff McNeil 2B 1 for 3, HR, 1 run scored, 1 RBI; Taijuan Walker 5 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs – both earned, 2 walks, 4 Ks; Miguel Castro 1 inning, 1 K; Trevor May 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs, 1 K; Edwin Diaz (W 1-0) 1 inning, no runs, no hits, 1 walk, 1 K.



Year: 2018; Game #8; Sunday;  Apr 8, NYM 6 @ WSN; 5; boxscore; 12 innings; WP: Lugo; LP: Kintzler;  Save: Rhame; Time: 04:03; NIGHT; Attendance: 21,579; Record: 7-1; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: up 1.5; W;


Mets took an early 4-2 lead on an Adrian Gonzalez grand-slam but it took a 12th inning RBI single from Yoenis Cespedes to give the Mets the win.  Seth Lugo (1-0) with 3 scoreless innings in relief for the win. 




Year: 2017; Game #5; Saturday;  Apr 8, NYM 1  Vs. MIA; 8; boxscore;  WP: Conley; LP: Gsellman; Time: 03:25; NIGHT; Attendance: 33,936; Record: 2-3; Standings: 3; Games up/behind: 1; L;


Year: 2016; Game #3; Friday;  Apr 8, NYM 7  Vs. PHI; 2; boxscore;  WP: deGrom; LP: Eickhoff; Time: 03:09; DAY; Attendance: 44,099; Record: 2-1; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: Tied; W;


Year: 2015; Game #2; Wednesday;  Apr 8, NYM 1 @ WSN; 2; boxscore;  WP: Zimmermann; LP: deGrom;  Save: Storen; Time: 02:21; NIGHT; Attendance: 25,999; Record: 1-1; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1.5; L;


10 Years ago today:


Year: 2014; Game #7; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 4 @ ATL; 0; boxscore;  WP: Colon; LP: Harang; Time: 03:07; NIGHT; Attendance: 47,144; Record: 3-4; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 2; W; 


Bartolo goes 7 scoreless, Ruben Tejada drives in 2 on 2 singles and Braves load the bases in the 9th but Jose Valverde preserves the shutout and the win. 


MLB on YouTube: Mets Vs. Braves highlights 4/8/2014






Year: 2013; Game #7; Monday;  Apr 8, NYM 7 @ PHI; 2; boxscore;  WP: Harvey; LP: Halladay; Time: 02:55; NIGHT; Attendance: 35,393; Record: 5-2; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1; W;


NY Post: Harvey (2-0) allowed one run on three hits with nine strikeouts and two walks as the Mets won their third straight. John Buck provided the offensive juice with a three-run homer in the second inning against Halladay, who was knocked out after failing to get an out in the fifth. 


NY Post: Mets’ Buck stays hot with homer vs. Phillies. Through seven games, Buck is hitting .375 (best among Mets regulars) with three homers (also tops on the team) and 12 RBIs (more than double anyone else on the club). That’s more than a decent start to the year.



Year: 2012; Game #3; Sunday;  Apr 8, NYM 7  Vs. ATL; 5; boxscore;  WP: Niese; LP: Minor;  Save: Francisco; Time: 02:46; DAY; Attendance: 27,855; Record: 3-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: up 1.0; W;


Mets jump out to 7-0 lead then held on for the win.  Ruben Tejada led the Mets attack going 4 for 5 with two doubles and 2 RBIs.  Daniel Murphy also had 2 doubles going 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs.  Jonathan Niese got the win throwing 6 scoreless before the Braves tagged him for 4 runs in the 7th.  Niese's line - 6 innings, 4 runs - 3 earned, 2 hits, 4 walks, 7 Ks;


Year: 2011; Game #7; Friday;  Apr 8, NYM 2  Vs. WSN; 6; boxscore;  WP: Zimmermann; LP: Dickey; Time: 03:13; DAY; Attendance: 41,075; Record: 3-4; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 2; L;


R.A. Dickey gave up 3 runs in 5 innings and Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell gave up 3 more in the 8th as the Mets only managed 2 runs against Jordan Zimmermann and 5 Washington relief pitchers. Ike Davis had a sacrifice fly and Lucas Duda a pinch hit double to drive in the Mets two runs. 


Year: 2010; Game #3; Thursday;  Apr 8, NYM 1  Vs. FLA; 3; boxscore;  WP: Robertson; LP: Niese;  Save: Oviedo; Time: 02:48; NIGHT; Attendance: 25,982; Record: 1-2; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 1; L;


Year: 2009; Game #2; Wednesday;  Apr 8, NYM 9 @ CIN; 7; boxscore;  WP: Pelfrey; LP: Volquez;  Save: Rodriguez; Time: 03:54; NIGHT; Attendance: 13,568; Record: 2-0; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 0.5; W;


Year: 2008; Game #6; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 2  Vs. PHI; 5; boxscore; WP: Moyer; LP: Schoeneweis; Save: Gordon; Time: 03:18; DAY; Attendance: 56,350; Record: 2-4; Standings: 3; Games up/behind: 1.5; L; 


National Pastime.com: In the last home opener at Shea Stadium, the Mets are beaten by a pitcher who is older than their ballpark. Jamie Moyer pitches six strong innings, giving the 46 year-old the victory in the 45 year-old stadium when the Phillies rally to beat the Mets, 5-2.


Baseball Reference: 2008: Chase Utley ties a major league record by being hit by pitch three times in a game as the Phillies top the Mets, 5 - 2. Utley is hit by an Oliver Perez pitch in the 1st inning and is again plunked by Perez in the 4th. In the 7th, he is hit by Scott Schoeneweis to tie the record.


Year: 2007; Game #6; Sunday;  Apr 8, NYM 2 @ ATL; 3; boxscore;  WP: Soriano; LP: Heilman;  Save: Wickman; Time: 02:59; DAY; Attendance: 24,832; Record: 4-2; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1; L;


Year: 2005; Game #4; Friday;  Apr 8, NYM 1 @ ATL; 3; boxscore;  WP: Thomson; LP: Zambrano;  Save: Kolb; Time: 02:44; NIGHT; Attendance: 50,939; Record: 0-4; Standings: 5; Games up/behind: 3; L;


National Pastime.com: Jimmy Carter, who was not invited by the current administration to be part of the American delegation for today's funeral of Pope John Paul, attends the home opener at Turner Field. The former president and his wife Roslyn, who both stayed for the entire game, enjoy watching the Braves beat the Mets, 3-1. 


20 Years ago today:


Year: 2004; Game #3; Thursday;  Apr 8, NYM 8 @ ATL; 10; boxscore;  WP: Cunnane; LP: Franco;  Save: Smoltz; Time: 03:34; NIGHT; Attendance: 26,585; Record: 1-2; Standings: 3; Games up/behind: 1; L; 


Mets jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a 2 Run Ty Wiggington HR.  Game was tied at 5 as late as the 6th when the Braves scored 4 against John Franco who suffered the loss. 


Year: 2003; Game #7; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 4 @ FLA; 2; boxscore;  WP: Leiter; LP: Redman;  Save: Benitez; Time: 02:57; NIGHT; Attendance: 10,103; Record: 4-3; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: Tied; W;


Third baseman Ty Wigginton went 3 for 3 with a 3-run HR as the Mets jumped out to a 4-0 lead.  Al Leiter (W,2-0) went 6.2 innings allowing 2 runs (both earned) and the bullpen of David Weathers, Mike Stanton and Armando Benitez (S,3) did the rest.


NY Post: TY gives Mets a win– long home run helps out Leiter. It was Wigginton’s two-out, three-run, tape-measure homer in the third inning that allowed Al Leiter the necessary breathing room last night. Leiter earned his second victory in two starts with the Mets’ 4-2 win over Florida, a contest that ended with Armando Benitez’s eventful but scoreless ninth.


Year: 2001; Game #6; Sunday;  Apr 8, NYM 2 @ MON; 5; boxscore;  WP: Peters; LP: Leiter;  Save: Urbina; Time: 03:34; DAY; Attendance: 11,321; Record: 2-4; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 3; L;


The Expos pounded Al Leiter for 10 hits and 4 runs in 5 innings.  The Mets had 5 hits and 3 walks off Expos starter Chris Peters in 5 innings but only managed 1 run.  Timo Perez drove in one run with a single and Todd Zeile hit into a force out late against future Met, Guillermo Mota, to drive in the other late in the loss. 


Year: 2000; Game #7; Saturday;  Apr 8, NYM 5  Vs. LAD; 6; boxscore; 10 innings; WP:; Fetters; LP: Benitez;  Save: Shaw; Time: 03:42; DAY; Attendance: 37,814; Record: 3-4; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 1; L;


Year: 1999; Game #4; Thursday;  Apr 8, NYM 1 @ MON; 5; boxscore;  WP: Batista; LP: Hershiser;  Save: Urbina; Time: 02:52; NIGHT; Attendance: 43,918; Record: 2-2; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1; L;


Year: 1997; Game #8; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 5 @ LAD; 3; boxscore;  WP: Jones; LP: Valdez;  Save: McMichael; Time: 02:37; NIGHT; Attendance: 27,318; Record: 3-5; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 3.5; W;


Year: 1996; Game #6; Monday;  Apr 8, NYM 6 @ CIN; 7; boxscore;  WP: Schourek; LP: Jones;  Save: Brantley; Time: 03:06; NIGHT; Attendance: 17,623; Record: 2-4; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 2.5; L;


30 Years ago today:


Year: 1994; Game #4; Friday;  Apr 8, NYM 3 @ HOU; 6; boxscore;  WP: Swindell; LP: Hillman;  Save: Williams; Time: 02:54; NIGHT; Attendance: 31,522; Record: 3-1; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1.5; L; 


Eric Hillman (L,0-1) allowed 5 runs in 5.1 innings as the Astros cruised to a 6-3 win.  Ryan Thompson was the Mets hitting star - 3 for 4 with a HR, double, and 2 RBIs.


Year: 1992; Game #3; Wednesday;  Apr 8, NYM 7 @ STL; 15; boxscore;  WP: Perez; LP: Fernandez; Time: 03:30; NIGHT; Attendance: 23,632; Record: 1-2; Standings: 5; Games up/behind: 1.5; L;


With two on and one out and the game tied 2-2, Sid Fernandez left the game in the 3rd inning.  Lefty Reliever, Paul Gibson then gave up a base hit to Brian Jordan, making his MLB debut to drive in 2.  The Cards built a 15-3 lead until the Mets scored 4 off ex-Met Bob McClure in the 9th.  Sid was charged with the loss going 2.1 innings, 4 runs - all earned, 3 hits, 3 walks, 1 K in his 1992 season debut.  Paul Gibson went 3.1 innings, allowed 6 runs - all earned, 5 hits, 2 HRs, 2 walks, 3 Ks.  Mark Dewey went 2.1 innings, 5 runs - all earned, 7 hits, 1 walk, 1 K; 


Year: 1991; Game #1; Monday;  Apr 8, NYM 2  Vs. PHI; 1; boxscore;  WP: Gooden; LP: Mulholland;  Save: Franco; Time: 02:13; DAY; Attendance: 49,276; Record: 1-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: Tied; W;


Vince Coleman and Gregg Jefferies hit back to back doubles to lead off the game and Hubie Brooks  stole home as part of a double steal to support Dwight Gooden who went 8 innings and gave up just one run on a Home Run to John Kruk. 


Year: 1989; Game #4; Saturday;  Apr 8, NYM 2 @ MON; 3; boxscore;  WP: Harris; LP: Cone;  Save: Burke; Time: 02:45; DAY; Attendance: 23,506; Record: 1-3; Standings: 5; Games up/behind: 2.5; L;


Year: 1988; Game #4; Friday;  Apr 8, NYM 1 @ PHI; 5; boxscore;  WP: Ruffin; LP: Fernandez; Time: 02:27; NIGHT; Attendance: 21,921; Record: 2-2; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 1.5; L;


National Pastime.com: Gary Carter, celebrating his 34th birthday with a 3-for-3 day including a home run, is doubled off second base after Howard Johnson lines out to right field to end the game on a bizarre play. Shortstop Juan Samuel, who had started to throw the relay from outfielder Chris James back to the mound, tags the Mets' catcher straying off the bag for the final out in the Phillies' 5-1 victory at Veterans Stadium. 


Year: 1986; Game #1; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 4 @ PIT; 2; boxscore;  WP: Gooden; LP: Reuschel; Time: 02:24; NIGHT; Attendance: 48,962; Record: 1-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: Tied; W;


40 Years ago today:


Year: 1984; Game #5; Sunday;  Apr 8, NYM 3 @ HOU; 1; boxscore;  WP: Leary; LP: Niekro;  Save: Sisk; Time: 02:37; NIGHT; Attendance: 10,625; Record: 4-1; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: up 1.0; W; 


National Pastime.com: A pitch thrown by Mike Torrez, in the Mets' 3-1 victory over Houston at the Astrodome, damages Dickie Thon's face, compromising the promising 25 year-old shortstop's career. The orbital bone around the left eye is broken by the remorseful right-hander's fastball, ending the infielder's season and impacting his future as a major leaguer due to problems with depth perception as a result of the injury.


Hubie Brooks broke a scoreless tie in the 7th with and RBI single and George Foster drove in 2 more in the 8th as the Mets won their 4th in a row to get 1984 off to a good start.


Year: 1982; Game #1; Thursday;  Apr 8, NYM 7 @ PHI; 2; boxscore;  WP: Jones; LP: Carlton; Time: 02:25; DAY; Attendance: 15,345; Record: 1-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: up 0.5; W;


Hope sprung eternal on Opening day in 1982.  New Manager George Bamburger had worked with Randy Jones and he came through with 6 innings allowing just 1 unearned run on 4 hits, 3 walks, and 2 Ks.  George Foster made his Mets debut and Dave Kingman drove in a run but the hitting star was Bob Bailor who went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles off Hall of Famer Steve Carlton to drive in 3 runs. 


Year: 1978; Game #2; Saturday;  Apr 8, NYM 6  Vs. MON; 5; boxscore;  WP: Cornejo; LP: Bahnsen; Time: 02:50; DAY; Attendance: 7,259; Record: 2-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: Tied; W-wo;


Year: 1975; Game #1; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 2  Vs. PHI; 1; boxscore;  WP: Seaver; LP: Carlton; Time: 02:02; DAY; Attendance: 18,527; Record: 1-0; Standings: 1; Games up/behind: Tied; W-wo;


53 Years ago today:


Year: 1971; Game #2; Thursday;  Apr 8, NYM 2  Vs. MON; 6; boxscore;  WP: Renko; LP: Gentry; Time: 02:48; DAY; Attendance: 13,033; Record: 1-1; Standings: 2; Games up/behind: 1; L;


The Montreal Expos scored 3 in the first off Gary Gentry in the first and never looked back as Ex-Met Steve Renko scattered 10 hits while giving up just 2 runs while pitching a complete game.  A Cleon Jones HR was the offensive highlight for the Mets.


Year: 1969; Game #1; Tuesday;  Apr 8, NYM 10  Vs. MON; 11; boxscore;  WP: Shaw; LP: Koonce;  Save: Sembera; Time: 03:35; DAY; Attendance: 44,541; Record: 0-1; Standings: 4; Games up/behind: 1; L; 


Baseball Reference: 1969: Four expansion teams make their debuts. The Kansas City Royals, Seattle Pilots, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres all win their inaugural games. At Shea Stadium, the Expos defeat the New York Mets, 11 - 10, to keep the Mets winless for openers. Pitcher Dan McGinn hits the Expos' first home run as the key hit, a three-run home run by Coco Laboy, is given up by Canadian-born Mets reliever Ron Taylor.    


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