New York Mets: Five great pitching performances in home opener through the years
1968: Koosman Fans Ten
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We start at the very beginning. Well the first home opening win anyway. Previous to this game the Mets had lost their previous six home openers. However, they were an up and coming team with players like Tom Seaver, Jerry Grote and Bud Harrelson among others leading the way. Another one was a young southpaw by the name of Jerry Koosman and he got the start on April 17, 1968.
The Mets took the lead in the bottom of the second on a Cleon Jones one out solo home run. They added a run each in the bottom of the sixth and seventh on hits by Ed Charles and Al Weis, respectively.
Three runs were all the Mets needed on this day as Jerry Koosman was simply splendid. In going the distance he only allowed a runner to third base once all night. Talk about staying out of trouble! Koosman scattered seven hits and walked only two. He struck out ten on the way to getting the Mets home schedule off on the right foot. The final score was Mets 3, Giants 0.