On This Date in Sports August 30, 1999
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
Edgardo Alfonzo has the best offensive game in the history of the New York Mets going six-for-six, with three home runs, a double, five RBI and five runs scored. It was the first time in team history that a player had a six-hit game Alfonzo’s record night, also included 16 total bases, and led the way, as the Mets pummeled the Houston Astros 17-1 at the Astrodome.
Edgardo Alfonzo was born in Venezuela on November 8, 1973. Coming from a baseball-playing family, Alfonzo affectionately called Fonzie had two brothers in professional baseball, but was the only one in his family to make the majors. Skipping AAA, Edgardo Alfonzo was a surprise addition to the Mets roster at the start of the 1995 season. Splitting most of his time between third base and second, Fonzie quickly developed into one of the Mets top hitters, with a .278 average in his rookie season.
As Edgardo Alfonzo, added some power and was in the midst of his finest season as the Mets were in the battle for a playoff spot in 1999. Making their final trip to the Astrodome, the Mets managed by Bobby Valentine faced the first place Houston Astros led by Larry Dierker. Getting the start for the Mets was Masato Yoshii, while Shane Reynolds was on the mound for Houston. The Mets got on the board quickly as Alfonzo batting second hit a first-inning home run. In the second inning, the Mets erupted for six runs, starting with a leadoff shot from Darryl Hamilton. Roger Cedeno followed with a single after the next two batters were retired Cedeno scored on a single by Rickey Henderson. Edgardo Alfonzo followed with a single; both runners would score on a double by John Olerud. A two-run home run off the bat of Mike Piazza, capped the Mets rally as they held a 7-0 lead. After going down in order in the third, the Mets made more noise in the fourth inning against reliever Brian Williams, as Edgardo Alfonzo hit his second home run of the game driving home Henderson who singled earlier. In the fifth, the Mets made it 10-0 as Rey Ordonez singled home Robin Ventura. Sean Bergman came on to pitch for Houston in the sixth and was greeted by the Fonz, who hit his third home run of the game to make it 11. Darryl Hamilton later sent Mike Piazza home with an RBI single to make it 12-0. Meanwhile, on the mound, Masato Yoshii had one of his best starts in the majors allowing two hits with eight strikeouts. With Yoshii out of the game, Lance Berkman provided the Astros lone run, with a home run off Jeff Tam. New York added a pair of runs in the eight to make it 14-1 on a pinch single by Shawon Dunston to single home Alfonzo who led off the inning with a single, while Olerud scored on a hit by Hamilton. In the ninth, seeking history Edgardo Alfonzo wrapped up his six-hit night with a two-run double, scoring Todd Pratt and Benny Agbayani. Fonzie would score the game’s final run on a hit by Dunston as the Mets won 17-1.
The Mets would take two of three in their final series at the Astrodome and went on to play in the NLCS, after beating the Cincinnati Reds in a one-game Wild Card tiebreaker. The Astros would win the Central Division in their final season in the Astrodome, but like the Mets, they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves who closed the Eighth Wonder of the World in four games in the Division Series. Edgardo Alfonzo’s final numbers in 1999 saw him hit .304 with a career-best 27 home runs and 108 RBI.