A lethargic start gave way to an explosive finish to propel the Amazins back to the World Series to defend their crown.
New York erupted for eight runs over the final three innings - outburst that accentuated the depth of the lineup - and dispatched the Astros, 11-5, in Game 4 to seize the National League pennant, three games to one.
The auspicios conclusion erased a rough start by Steve Carlton, who was tagged for four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first as Houston quickly transformed a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 advantage.
The Mets closed the gap to 4-3 when Johnny Bench, who was publicly admonished for his disapperance at the plate over the first three contests, accepted the challenge and roped an RBI single the closed the gap to a run.
Houston widened its lead to 5-3 before Bench tagged a two-run double in the seventh that knotted the game.
In the eighth, Roberto Clemente, who was 4 for 6 in the game and 7 for 18 in the series, led off by reaching on an error by SS Gene Alley. Willie Crawford, who tied the National League playoff record with five hits in six at bats during the contest and who hit .562 in the series (9 for 16), doubled to put runners at second and third. Tony Perez followed with a tie-breaking RBI single, Reggie Smith back it with another run-scoring knock and, after Don Mincher was walked to load the base in Houston's hope of a double play, Bench lifted a sac fly to make it 8-5.
Tug McGraw, who fired three scoreless innings in relief of Carlton, who settled in over six innings, added to the offensive joy with an RBI single and a throwing error on the play enabled a second run to score, expanding the cushion to 10-5.
Clemente stamped the triumph in the ninth with a solo home run. At 37, Clemente once again proved how immune he is to the pressure of the post season.
The Mets await their opponent in the Fall Classic. With two wins at home, the Twins evened their ALCS with Detroit at 2-2 heading back to the Motor City for Game 5.
