April 29, 1996: Franco's 300th Save

From The Met Wiki

Date: April 29, 1996

Mets starter: Pete Harnisch

Mets: 3

Expos: 2

Winning pitcher: Pete Harnisch

Key player(s): Lance Johnson, Jeff Kent, John Franco

Key play: Kent's double in 6th, Obando's fly out in 9th

The Mets began a series with the Expos at Shea Stadium on a Monday night. Pete Harnisch held the Montreal hitters to a run and three hits over seven innings. The Mets won the game, 3-2, as John Franco closed it out for his 300th career save.

The Mets scored in the third inning against Expos' starter Jeff Fassero. Rey Ordonez led off with a double and advanced to third on Harnisch's sacrifice bunt. Rey then came home on a single by Lance Johnson. Montreal got an unearned run in the top of the fifth, but the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half when Edgardo Alfonzo scored on Johnson's force play grounder.

In the sixth, Butch Huskey led off with a single. Pinch-runner Tim Bogar then moved to third base on two ground ball outs. A double by Jeff Kent scored Bogar to give the Mets a two-run lead. The Expos got a run back in the eighth against relievers Doug Henry and Bob MacDonald as Mark Grudzielanek scored on a double play.

Franco came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning for the Mets. John struck out Darrin Fletcher before F. P. Santangelo singled and went to second base on an error. Franco then struck out Shane Andrews and got pinch-hitter Sherman Obando to fly out to center field, ending the game. The Mets had a victory as Franco became the first lefthanded pitcher ever to record 300 saves in the major leagues.