Bottom Of The Order Charges Offense in Victory vs. Nationals

After a disheartening series split against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the New York Mets responded with an 8-7 win over the Washington Nationals thanks to a combined six hits, six RBIs and four runs from the bottom part of the order.

Leading the way last night was Mark Vientos.

The 24-year-old continues to mash the baseball since he has taken over the third base position from Brett Baty. Since Vientos was called back up in the middle of May is slash .327./.407/.635/1.042 with four homers. The biggest obstacle Vientos has had in his time with the Mets was plate discipline, and he has a healthy 10.6% walk rate and 19.7% strikeout rate this year.

After the game Vientos was asked about the difference between his approach this year. “I think last year going into the off season, that was one of the main focuses: My plate discipline and swinging at pitches in the zone. I can still get better at that but taking it day by day.”

Vientos went 2-for-3 last night with a solo home run, two runs, and two walks.

Vientos was quick to give Jose Iglesias credit for the way he approaches the game, too.

“When I was in Syracuse, he was one of the mentors, the guys in my ear helping me through the way and telling me how to play the game the right way,” he said. “Guy’s done it at the best for 13 years in the league.” With Jeff McNeil going through it at the plate, the Mets decided to call up Iglesias as a backup middle infielder. Carlos Mendoza and company have shown with different players that if they are struggling they will find alternatives. We are seeing that with Brett Baty being sent down to Triple-A Syracuse and now Jeff McNeil being kept out of the lineup to work on his swing.

Iglesias ended up accounting for two of the Mets runs last night and recorded an RBI with three hits.

Luis Torrens, the backup catcher who replaced Omar Narváez, even pitched in a hit and two RBIs during the win. Harrison Bader also knocked in two with sacrifice flies (on his birthday, no less).

“There is so many ways you can contribute to a team, not necessarily with the bat or the defense, but with the energy and keep pushing your teammates and supporting them,” Iglesias said. “It’s a long season. We are gonna fail, we will succeed, we got to stay positive and continue to work each and every day—that’s all we can control.” A new positive voice in the clubhouse could be just what the team needs to consistently produce the rest of the season.

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