Livescore
Before Mark Vientos‘ leadoff at-bat in the 10th inning with Brandon Nimmo starting the frame on second base became the Mets’ walk-off home run, New York’s No. 3 batter and starting third baseman was dialed.
Entering the plate appearance with a 2-for-4 showing that included a two-run home run in the first inning and originally put the Mets up 2-0, Vientos worked a 2-2 count against former Met Justin Wilson.
On the eighth pitch, Vientos turned a 97 mph fastball over the inner half of the plate into a souvenir for the left-field seats. He knew as soon as he made contact, holding his bat up before tossing it.
His 24th home run of the season and second of Friday’s 6-4 win to open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field gave the Mets (77-64) a season-best eighth-straight victory — one that New York had to earn.
“I think our confidence was good,” said Vientos, whose 3-for-5 night with two homers and four RBI upped his .289/.342/.563 slash line and 62 RBI through 91 games. “I feel like I knew I was going to get an opportunity. I kind of want the opportunity in those situations. And when I got it, I was like, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ If it wasn’t going to be me, it was going to be Pete (Alonso). If it wasn’t going to be Pete, it was going to be someone behind him.
“We were confident that we were going to win that game.”
For Carlos Mendoza, Vientos’ demeanor in the box foreshadowed the clutch moment.
“It’s hard to describe because he’s been everything and more,” Mendoza said. “It’s just really cool and special to see someone that went through a lot early in the year. And for him to have those types of numbers and come through day in and day out, somehow continues to help us win games — whether it’s making plays, getting big hits, great at-bats — and just he continues to get better.
“Today, that last at-bat — after he took the first cutter, that cutter, and the way he took it, I was like, ‘Game’s over here.’ His ability to slow the game down, the awareness of the situation, not trying to do too much — that’s pretty special right there. So proud of him. He’s in a really, really good spot and he’s enjoying playing the game and coming to the ballpark and just being around the guys in there.”
Tied with the Atlanta Braves for the third NL Wild Card spot while 21 games remain, Vientos and the Mets found a way to win as they continue their postseason push.
“I don’t know if I believe in magic, but I think we have the energy and the right mindset going into this month because we’re hungry and we want to make it to the playoffs,” Vientos said.
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