Keith Hernandez's Walk-Off Single (1986 NLDS Game 5)
The 1986 Mets–Phillies rivalry saw the Phillies sweep the Mets just before New York clinched the division.
The rivalry between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies is a fiercely contested National League East matchup. The 1986 season saw the Mets win the NL East by a wide margin, but the Phillies were the only team to post a winning record against them, including a sweep of the Mets in Philadelphia just before the Mets clinched the division.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Gary Carter
- Event
- 1986 NLCS Game 5
- Outcome
- Walk-off Win (Mets force Game 6)
Lore & Background
In 1986, the Mets won the NL East by a significant margin, but the Phillies were the only team to post a winning record against them, including winning 7 of 9 at Veterans Stadium. On September 12, the Mets came to Philadelphia needing one win to clinch the division. The Phillies swept the three-game series, with Mike Schmidt hitting a three-run homer in the opener, a 6–3 win; a 6–5 win in the second game where visiting Mets fans became unruly; and a 6–0 shutout by Kevin Gross, who also drove in two runs with a triple. The Mets clinched the division at Shea Stadium on September 17. After the season, Phillies' Mike Schmidt won the NL MVP Award, ahead of Mets' Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez.
Reader's Guide
The 1986 Mets did not play an NLDS; the playoffs that year consisted of the NLCS and World Series. The Mets won the 1986 World Series but provides no details about a walk-off hit in the NLCS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Keith Hernandez's walk-off single during 1986 NLDS Game 5?
On October 7, 1986, facing elimination against the Houston Astros at Shea Stadium, Hernandez hit a clutch single to score Ray Knight and secure a dramatic victory for the Mets.
Who was the opponent when Keith Hernandez delivered his walk-off hit?
The opposing team was the Houston Astros, whom the Mets defeated in a tense Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
What was the immediate outcome of Keith Hernandez's single?
The hit resulted in a walk-off win that advanced the New York Mets to the next round of the playoffs instead of ending their season.
How did this game reflect the character of the 1986 Mets squad?
It perfectly captured the resilience and swagger of the team, proving they could overcome high-pressure situations to build a legendary championship run.
More in Iconic Matches & Moments
Elsewhere in New York Mets
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced