Mark Vientos hit two-run homers in the first and 10th innings to power the Mets to a 6-4 win over the Reds Friday night at Citi Field. It was the eighth-straight win for the Mets, who are now 28-18 since the All-Star break.
Sean Manaea was twice staked to two-run leads and both times he gave it up with two-run homers. The second of those gopher balls came in the seventh inning, the fourth time this year in 8.1 IP where he’s allowed a homer in the seventh.
The final line for Manaea of 6.2 IP and 4 ER is not great. But it’s not necessarily indicative of how he pitched. He allowed just three hits and struck out nine. It’s just the gopher balls with men on base – both reached via walks – that did him in.
While the story of the game was Vientos’ homers, two other things deserve to be highlighted. First was how well the bullpen did. Reed Garrett, Edwin Diaz and Jose Butto retired all 10 batters they faced, with Garrett and Diaz combining for six strikeouts. And Butto did not allow the zombie runner to advance past second base, as all three outs were of the infield variety.
And the other thing is the defensive play of Francisco Lindor. He helped turn two double plays and in the 10th inning he covered a ton of ground to get to the ball and record the final out of the inning. It probably doesn’t get mentioned in a ton of other game recaps but it was a terrific play.
The opposite of terrific is that Jeff McNeil got hit in the hand and left the game. Initial reports are that it’s just a contusion so hopefully that’s the case. He stayed in the game initially but the next time his spot in the order came along, Harrison Bader pinch hit for him. Bader ended up 0-2 with 2 Ks. He’s now hitless in his last eight games – some of those as a defensive replacement – and has just 15 hits in his last 100 ABs.
Meanwhile, Vientos entered the game with a .938 OPS in his last 80 PA, with 9 XBH. And he delivered a three-hit game with two homers. Ron Darling said before his at-bat in the 10th that the Reds should intentionally walk him and pitch to Pete Alonso, instead.
Fortunately the Reds didn’t listen.
2 more in a row to go!
No particular reason I’ve been pushing for a 10 game winning streak just felt like they had it in them with the schedule in front of them and that doing so would put them in great position for the post season. Of course the braves and padres never lose either so at this pt I’m rooting heavily for the Astros.
That Vientos kid is pretty good.
Gut reaction: Winning is fun and the DBacks are coming back down to earth! Why can’t Vientos be the regular third baseman next year and put Mauricio at 2B? Doesn’t that help the team more?
Only able to see two or three at bats all night live, I was glad to see Butto get out of the 10th but wondered if Stanek wouldn’t have been a good choice too. And then remembered Tomkin….. oh boy, thank God for the upgrade!
Not in love with Quintana going today, a pitcher that gives up tons of baserunners to a base stealing team…. Hopefully, he finds something that works. Put Torrens back there…
Does anyone think Vientos isn’t going to be the 3rd baseman next year?
I don’t think we should be hard on Tonkin. It was pretty clear that he was a low-leverage, multi-inning guy. It wasn’t his fault that his manager put him in high-leverage, extra-inning games. With the Yankees, he had 39 G, 56 IP and a 3.38 ERA.
The only reason Vientos isn’t the 3B next year is if Alonso walks and they play him at 1B, instead.
That was my point. Technically, the Mets are better if Vientos is at 3B and Alonso at 1B. Will it happen?
That’s entirely up to Alonso. If he insists on a 6-year deal and/or a $30 million AAV, he won’t be a Met next year.
For sure Gus, it’s looking like 3B is not the issue the year started as. I wish her were better defensively, but the offense is making up for it. He’s still below replacement in dWAR on bbref.
As Brian mentioned, the only way hes not at 3B is if hes at 1B, because Pete somehow misses his reality in value. I think it’s reasonable to see what Mauricio can do at 2B, but I really wonder about his size and range. I guess it’s been long enough I cant recall his fielding ability.
Gut Reaction: Vientos is having an amazing season. He has a 154 OPS+. He has improved so much since last year. His career numbers are 253/305/473/778 116 OPS+ with his disaster season last year. Vientos is the future.
Grateful for ESPN.com and to see the replay of Vientos second HR. What a bat flip! DVRing games through my return on Thursday. Let’s make it 13 in a row with a sweep of the Blue Jays after the Reds. McNeil’s injury might be a blessing in disguise and an opportunity for Iglesias. LGM