Al Jackson Shines as Mets Top Dodgers in L.A.

June 21, 1965 - Nobody had to talk to Al Jackson before he went to the mound tonight. The little lefthander knew it was important for him to pitch well. It was either that or go to the bullpen. Jackson had lost five straight, hadn’t won since May 14, and even with the Mets you run out of starting chances.

“I’ve been a pro long enough,” Jackson said, “that I don’t need that pep talk about saving your job.” So, pitching coach Warren Spahn saved some words, and Larry Miller will remain in the bullpen for a while.

Jackson walked off the mound in Dodger Stadium with his first career victory over Los Angeles (he’s lost eight times), a 1-0 three-hitter, and lefthander Claude Osteen had lost a two-hitter.

Both pitchers were magnificent. Osteen had won a one-hitter over the Giants in his last start. “I pitched a much better game this time,” Osteen said tonight. “He pitched a great game, too. There’s not much difference in this game except one hit and one home run.”

Billy Cowan hit it leading off the ninth. Cowan claims to have hit balls further, but never as a Met. It was his first homer of the season. It soared over a fence behind the Dodger bullpen about 440 feet away in left field. It came on a low fastball, exactly where Osteen wanted to throw it.

“I was guessing fastball,” Cowan said. “I always guess fastball. I try to adjust to the curve.”

“I don’t know whether I was the first or second to shake Billy’s hand at home plate,” said Jackson, “but I was there.”

“Amazing,” said Casey Stengel after the second straight victory over the Dodgers. “We’re killing them. We’re making this race too close.”

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