Mets Throttle A's; Staub Powers Team To a 6-1 Victory

Rusty Staub collected four hits and five RBI's, including a three-run home run in the first inning, powering the scrappy New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics last night, in the fourth game of the 1973 World Series. The Series stands tied at two games apiece.

Staub's first inning homer, a towering drive over the left field fence, followed singles by Wayne Garret and Felix Millan. The runs proved to be all young Mets lefthander Jon Matlack needed, as he checked the A's on three hits and one unearned run until departing for reliever Ray Sadecki in the ninth.

Sneaky Fastball

Matlack's arching curve ball and sneaky fastball baffled the powerful Athletics all night. He whiffed five and was never in serious trouble.

The A's tallied an unearned run in the fourth, but the amazing Mets responded with three runs in their half of the inning to put the game out of reach. Singles by Don Hahn, Bud Harrelson and Staub, sandwiched around a hit-batsman and an infield error, produced the runs.

Although the Mets scored in only two innings, they kept pressure on the A's throughout the game. At least one man reached base in every inning, and the New Yorkers pounded five different Oakland pitchers for a total of 13 hits.

Oakland did not mount a serious threat until the ninth, with Matlack out of the game. But Ray Sadecki fanned shortstop Bert Campeneris with the bases loaded to preserve the win.