The Mets hold Oakland to four hits in the World Series opener, but three of those hits come in the two-run 3rd inning as Oakland wins, 2 – 1.

On October 13, 1973 — The New York Mets and Oakland A’s opened the Series in Oakland with Jon Matlack and Ken Holtzman as the Game 1 starters (Matlack, with a 14–16 record during the 1973 season, is one of only four pitchers in history to start Game 1 of a World Series after a regular season losing record). Willie Mays started in place of the injured Rusty Staub and batted third in what turned out to be his final big league start. In the third, pitcher Holtzman doubled and scored when Bert Campaneris hit a routine grounder that inexplicably bounced between Mets second baseman’s Félix Millán’s legs. Campaneris then stole second and scored on a single to right by Joe Rudi. The Mets came up with a run in the fourth on an RBI single by John Milner that scored Cleon Jones. Holtzman, Rollie Fingers, and Darold Knowles then shut the door on the Mets offense; Knowles earned the save.

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Philadelphia Athletics pound the Chicago Cubs, 9 – 3, for a 2-0 lead in the World Series

October 18, 1910

Al Weis’s timely ninth-inning hit, combined with the two-hitter tossed by Jerry Koosman and Ron Taylor, enable the Mets to even the Fall Classic with the Orioles at one game apiece. New York will win the next three games, all played at Shea Stadium, to finish their amazing season with a World Championship.

October 12, 1969

Roger Clemens is fined a reported $50,000 for throwing the jagged barrel of a shattered bat in the direction of Met catcher Mike Piazza in the first inning of Game 2 of the World Series

October 24, 2000

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