The New York Mets scored early and often to topple the St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 before 55,695 fun-loving fans at Shea Stadium and captured the first National League pennant in the new century.

Left-handed Mike Hampton compelling three-hit shutout provided the Mets with its first pennant since 1986. Hampton went the whole 9-yards, walked only one, while striking out eight. As dominant as starter Hampton was, the Cardinal starters were equally miserable. Only twice in this five-game series did their starting pitchers go four full innings.

The Mets won by scores of 6-2, 6-5, 10-6, and 7-0, with the Cardinals able to win only Game 3, by the score of 8-2. In this final game, Timo Perez led off with a single, stole second and took third on a errant throw by catcher Carlos Hernandez. The next Mets batter, Edgardo Alfonzo, hit a hard grounder to shortstop Edgar Renteria, and the ball took a funny bounce under his glove into left field. Mike Piazza then walked, Robin Ventura singled, Todd Zeile was Safe on a infield hit and error by Cards first baseman Will Clark. And the Mets were up 3-0 after one inning. In the last of the 4th, Perez singled, Piazza doubled, Ventura walked and Zeile cleared the bases with a three-run double, giving the Mets a 6-zip lead. Pat Hentegan, the Cardinals starter surrendered 6 runs, 7 hits in 3 2/3 innings. Baseballhistorian.com - Internet News

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