Pride night power: Polar Bear slams and Lindor makes momma proud
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Pride night power: Polar Bear slams and Lindor makes momma proud
The Mets offense came to life in front of the Citi Field faithful on Pride Night. Plus, how Francisco Lindor stepped up in the moment for his mom.
What’s Up with the Mets? 🏳️🌈
The Mets blasted the Marlins by a score of 10-4 at Pride Night at Citi Field on Friday (box)
New York is now 20 games over .500 in the month of June for the first time in 35 years (1988)
SS Francisco Lindor hit a three-run home run and drove in another on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch with his mother in attendance
1B Pete Alonso capped off a seven-run 6th inning with a two-out grand slam
RHP Carlos Carrasco bounced back from a tough performance in Anaheim with 6.1 solid innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven
The Mets have won 11 of their last 12 games at Citi Field and have scored 10+ runs in a game for the ninth time this season (most in NL)
DH JD Davis has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games against the Marlins
It has happened: The Braves finally lost a game, and the Mets increased their NL East lead to 5.5 games in the process
Prior to the game, RHP Tylor Megill was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain — he will be shut down for the next four weeks
Roster Moves 📰
2B Gosuke Katoh designated for assignment
RHP Tylor Megill placed on 15-day injured list (right shoulder strain)
RHP Jake Reed optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
RHP Tommy Hunter called up from Triple-A Syracuse
RHP Adonis Medina recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
Who’s Hot 🔥
Pete Alonso’s 63 RBI through his first 65 games is the second most in franchise history during that span — Mike Piazza had 65 RBI in his first 65 games during the 2000 season
Starling Marte is now hitting .299/.351/.494 with four home runs, three doubles, a triple, 15 RBI, three stolen bases and 22 runs scored in 22 games since returning from the bereavement list
Jeff McNeil now has eight hits over his last five games and is hitting .361/.425/.528 with three home runs, three doubles, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored and a .953 OPS over his last 21 games
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (43-23) vs Marlins (28-34)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Taijuan Walker (4-2, 3.08 ERA) vs LHP Braxton Garrett (1-1, 4.00 ERA)
When: 4:10 PM EST
Where to Watch: WPIX
Francisco Lindor, making mom proud and stepping up in the moment 📝
When Francisco Lindor stepped into the box for his first at-bat on Friday night at Citi Field, it wasn’t just a big moment for him because there were two runners on base with no outs. No, it was more than that. Prior to the game, Lindor’s wife Katia surprised him by bringing his mother Maria — who, due to the pandemic and health conditions, had never seen Lindor play in person since he was traded to the Mets — to the ballpark.
“My wife was very emotional, telling me that I was going to get one of the greatest Father’s Day gifts,” Lindor told reporters. “It fills my heart. I play the game for my mom and my entire family. To have her here at this moment, it’s a win for me. It’s a win for the entire family.”
With that on his mind, an extra warmth in his heart and mom in the stands, Lindor stepped up to the moment with glorious results. On an 0-1 changeup from Marlins right-hander Pablo López, Lindor slammed a three-run home run to dead center and exploded in emotion rounding the bases. This was no ordinary home run for the Mets shortstop.
“He will treasure that home run forever,” Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose exclaimed on the broadcast. “What a wonderful moment for Francisco Lindor.”
“To run the bases — scream — there were a lot of things going through my mind,” Lindor said. “To me, it was very special to do that for the team, and for my mom for sure.”
It was a really special moment, and there is something to be said about these moments in sports that just simply feel bigger than the game itself. When an individual player, or sometimes an entire team, steps up with the weight of the world on their shoulders and does something grande.
Look no further than last month in Colorado when Starling Marte was activated from the bereavement list, mourning the death of the grandmother who raised him, and hit a home run in his first at-bat.
“You can’t make that stuff up,” manager Buck Showalter said at the time.
Whether it’s Marte honoring his grandmother while crossing home plate, Lindor homering in front of his mom and even going back to the Mike Piazza post-9/11 home run, there is just something inherently special and magical about these moments. They transcend the game itself, and give you the belief that people can rise above it all in the biggest moments.
Moments like this are why we love baseball so much in the first place.
Down on the Farm 🌾
Francisco Álvarez (C, No. 1 prospect, Double-A): 3-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, run scored
Mark Vientos (3B/OF, No. 5 prospect, Triple-A): 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
James McCann (C, rehab assignment, Double-A): 1-for-5, 2B, RBI, run scored
Box Scores: Triple-A | Double-A | High-A | Single-A
Around the League 🚩
The Braves’ 14-game winning streak came to an end thanks to a Cubs 1-0 victory at Wrigley Field
The Phillies swept a doubleheader from the Nationals in D.C.
The Yankees bludgeoned the Blue Jays by a score of 12-3 for their 8th straight win
Tigers top prospect Riley Greene is being called up to the major leagues
Mariners LHP Robbie Ray took a no-hitter into the 7th inning but settled for a 10 strikeout performance in the win vs the Angels
Angels 3B Anthony Rendon will miss the remainder of the season due to wrist surgery