The New York Mets Win in Wild Fashion Again

Jesse Winker won the game for the Mets with a walk-off homer. It was Winker’s first home run as a Met and he could not have picked a better time to hit it. Winker worked a great at bat and, on three and two, he was just looking for a way to get on. He did a lot more than that.

Winker took a low and away 99 MPH fastball and hit it 417 feet to left center. It was a perfect piece of hitting. The only way to hit the pitch was by going with it, and that is exactly what Winker did.

The 31 year old then showed the passion that made Mets fans previously hate him. Unlike Francisco Alvarez two days ago, Winker did not celebrate his home run right after he hit it. The outfielder watched it go out. But when he saw it leave the yard, he celebrated in a unique fashion. Winker stopped, turned to the dugout, pumped his first and screamed. He then threw his helmet off before he even touched first base and, eventually, ran around the bases and celebrated with his teammates.

New York’s energy has been lacking. Winker has tried to get the dugout going before. His extra bit of celebration pumped up the dugout even more and will leave the team feeling great.

It was important for New York to win this game. The Mets needed it. The game would decide whether they would end their homestand with a losing or winning record. The Mets were 3-3 after playing two bad teams. They then won this series against much better competition.

Sean Manaea was excellent today. Manaea was one pitch away from six perfect innings. He was in complete control of an impressive Orioles lineup. He commanded all parts of the zone and executed his fastball against the talented Baltimore lefties. He got both Anthony Santander and Gunnar Henderson to strike out on a fastball.

In the sixth, with two out and two strikes, Manaea hit Jackson Holliday. Austin Slater hit a two run home run on the very next pitch. Very quickly, Manaea lost his perfect game, no hitter, shutout and lead.

New York’s offense was not great again today. They have not been able to score in bunches. When they do score, the runs feel very separated. Francisco Lindor continues to carry the team. He went 2-4 with a solo shot.

Mark Vientos hit a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the seventh off Craig Kimbrel. Vientos smacked a fastball to dead center for his 20th home run of the year.

Manaea cruised through seven and Carlos Mendoza gave him the chance to pitch the eighth. However, Mendoza removed Manaea after a softly hit infield single.

The inherited runner came around to score, although it should not have. The first batter Jose Buttó faced, Ramon Urias, took a 3-2 pitch that clearly caught the zone. However, it was called a ball. Colton Cowser ran on the pitch and was tagged before he got to the base. The ball call removed two huge outs.

The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs. Buttó did a nice job to only allow one run and not let the Orioles take the lead.

Edwin Diaz pitched a dominant ninth inning, and the rest was history.

New York will take a happy flight to the west coast and head into a tough series with momentum.