The Mets trying for a 3-1 series lead send Ron Darling (16-6 2.90 Grade 15Y) to the hill against lefty Frank Tanana (12-14 4.27 Grade 5YZ).
This one got out of hand early as the Mets explode for 6 runs in the 2nd. Huge RBI hits by Mookie Wilson, Ray Knight, Rafael Santana lead the way along with a huge fielding error by Alan Trammell. The Tigers would not just lay down, they come back with 4 big runs in the 3rd. Lou Whitaker singles in Nelson Simmons and later Lance Parrish would drill a 3 run homer off Darling.
The Mets would get one of those runs right back in the 4th as Gary Carter would again get a big 2 out hit. Score would remain 7-4 until the 7th when the Mets would get 2 insurance runs. In the 9th Darryl Strawberry would line a big homer to right to give the Mets a 10-4 advantage and that is where it would end up. Mets now lead the series 3-1.
Final Score: Mets 10, Tigers 4
WP: Ron Darling (1-0)
LP: Frank Tanana (1-1)
HR’s: Mets – Darryl Strawberry (5), Tigers – Lance Parrish (1)