April 18, 1965: Kroll's First Major League Win
From The Met Wiki
| Date: April 18, 1965 |
| Mets starter: Gary Kroll |
| Mets: 7 |
| Giants: 1 |
| Winning pitcher: Gary Kroll |
| Key player(s): Gary Kroll, Ed Kranepool, Joe Christopher |
| Key play: Kranepool's double in 5th, Christopher's single in 6th |
After losing the opener of a doubleheader, the Mets took on the Giants in Game 2. The nightcap was cut short in the seventh inning due to rain. The Mets came out with a split of the twinbill with a 7-1 victory as Gary Kroll recorded his first major league win.
Kroll pitched shutout ball over the first three innings. Gary kept the Giants from scoring despite two infield errors. Meanwhile, the Mets took a 1-0 lead on Ron Swoboda's second inning home run off San Francisco starter Gaylord Perry.
The Giants tied the game in the top of the fourth on Jim Ray Hart's sacrifice fly that scored Jesus Alou. Kroll followed up by getting a double play grounder from Ed Bailey to end the inning. Gary then struck out the side in order in the top of the fifth.
Kroll singled off Perry to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. Johnny Lewis followed with another single and Roy McMillan walked to load the bases. Ed Kranepool hit a drive to center field for a double, bringing home all three runners to give the Mets a 4-1 lead. Perry was then replaced by San Francisco reliever Ron Herbel, who gave up a single to Joe Christopher that scored Kranepool with the Mets' fifth run.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Mets loaded the bases with none out against Herbel. McMillan struck out and Kranepool hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Chris Cannizzaro from third base. Christopher followed with a single to score Kroll for another Met run. Gary then retired the Giants in order in the top of the seventh.
Charley Smith singled off San Francisco's Jim Duffalo to begin the bottom of the seventh inning. The rain then came down and the game was discontinued. Still, the Mets had a victory as Kroll got his first win as a major leaguer.
