The Mets: A Story of Resilience and Redemption
As the Mets’ season unfolds, a narrative of resilience and redemption is taking shape. In just two weeks, the team has transformed from one plagued by losses to one that excels in tight games, showcasing a newfound ability to secure victories when it matters most.
Monday’s game was a testament to this newfound resilience. Harrison Bader, the hero of the night, delivered a crucial double in the eighth inning, propelling the Mets to a remarkable comeback victory at Citi Field. This win not only brought the team to a .500 record but also marked their fourth win in five games.
The Mets’ ability to bounce back from a three-run deficit in the sixth inning speaks volumes about their determination and grit. With key plays from players like DJ Stewart, who not only tied the game with a pinch-hit double but also emphasized the team’s unwavering belief in their capabilities.
Stewart’s words reflect the team’s mindset, “To start 0-5 and now we’re .500, we’re never gonna give up. Everyone can doubt us all they want, but we know what we have in here and we’re happy with what we have.”
What sets the Mets apart is their ability to perform under pressure, especially late in games. With an MLB-high 30 runs scored in the eighth inning or later, the team has shown a knack for delivering when it matters most.
Reflecting on their recent successes, Harrison Bader remarked, “We learned more in [the series win] in Atlanta. We can chip away.” This mentality of perseverance and continuous improvement is evident in their gameplay.
The Mets’ ability to respond to challenges was evident in their game against the Pirates. Despite a tough pitchers’ duel and falling behind, the team rallied back with key plays from players like Brett Baty and DJ Stewart, showcasing their resilience and determination.
As the Mets continue to defy expectations and showcase their resilience on the field, the team’s future looks promising. With a focus on continuous improvement and a never-say-die attitude, the Mets are poised to achieve great things in the season ahead.
The Mets: A Story of Resilience and Redemption
The Mets’ season is barely two weeks old, and they’ve already seemingly gone from a team going out of its way to find ways to lose to one that has shown a knack for winning tight games.
It happened again Monday, as a day after Harrison Bader delivered a go-ahead hit with a dribbler in the bottom of the eighth against the Royals, he came through again in the eighth versus Pittsburgh, this time with a double to put the Mets ahead.
The 6-3 comeback victory at Citi Field got the Mets to .500 on the season after they erased a three-run deficit in the sixth.
The winning rally started with Jeff McNeil reaching on a wild pitch on an Aroldis Chapman strikeout.
DJ Stewart, who had previously knocked in the tying run in the sixth with a pinch-hit double, walked, and both runners stole off Chapman to set up Bader’s clutch hit that helped the Mets win for the fourth time in five games.
The Mets have won three straight series to put their winless start further back in the rearview mirror, now back to 8-8, while the surprising Pirates fell to 11-7.
“To start 0-5 and now we’re .500, we’re never gonna give up,” Stewart said. “Everyone can doubt us all they want, but we know what we have in here and we’re happy with what we have.”
Stewart was also careful not to put too much stock in their record.
And they’re playing well against solid competition and they are playing well late in games, with an MLB-high 30 runs in the eighth inning or later.
“I think the first few games of the year, we learned a lot about ourselves,” Bader said. “We learned more in [the series win] in Atlanta. We can chip away.”
That’s just what they did against the Pirates.
Adrian Houser and Pittsburgh lefty Martin Perez were locked in a pitchers’ duel, scoreless through five.
Pittsburgh broke through against Houser in the sixth as the right-hander was finally burned by having walked five batters.
An Andrew McCutchen RBI single scored the first run before Drew Smith allowed two inherited runners to score to put the Mets in a three-run hole.
But the Mets answered right back.
Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor started the bottom of the inning with hard-hit singles to bring up the red-hot Pete Alonso, but the first baseman popped out.
Brett Baty singled to load the bases for Francisco Alvarez, who walked to drive in the Mets’ first run.
McNeil followed with a fly ball to right, too shallow to score Lindor from third, but Connor Joe made an ill-conceived and wild throw to first and Lindor came home on the error to get the Mets to within a run.
Stewart, pinch-hitting for Tyrone Taylor, then belted a game-tying double to right off right-hander Hunter Stratton.
“That was the game for me, right there,” Carlos Mendoza said of his decision to go to the lefty-swinging Stewart.
After the Mets got scoreless innings out of the bullpen by Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino, they rallied again in the eighth.
Bader followed his two-run double by swiping third and scoring on a fielder’s choice by Brandon Nimmo to give the Mets a 6-3 lead.
“It was good to see,” Mendoza said of the rallies. “It’s important to have the ability to come back in games.”