Mets' bats stay scorching hot in win over Diamondbacks
The Mets are the kings of the Citi and at the moment the kings of the sport.
The team with the best record at home and the best record period is playing its best baseball of this short season, putting on display arguably its crispest game of the season.
The Mets’ bats remained scorching and have scored 34 runs in three games. The Mets’ defenders seemed to try to outdo one another during one spectacular half-inning. And the Mets’ pitching arms quietly lowered their collective ERA to an MLB-best 2.60.
Carlos Mendoza revealed discouraging news regarding A.J. Minter on Tuesday afternoon, and then watched a just about wholly encouraging 8-3, series-opening victory over the Diamondbacks in front of 35,218 at Citi Field.
The Mets improved to 13-1 in Queens, the best start to a season at home in franchise history.
“We have a great environment here, whether it’s fan reception, creature comforts of home,” said Pete Alonso, who contributed one of three Mets home runs. “It’s a great environment to play.”
Overall, the club is 21-9, tied for the fourth-best start in franchise history. If the record is inflated by a relatively easy stretch of the schedule early, the playoff-caliber Diamondbacks were supposed to represent a step up in competition.
For one game at least, the Mets elevated their own game even further. A four-run second inning and a three-run third essentially ended any drama within an hour of play. David Peterson was solid for five, one-run innings, but the gloves behind him were better.
José Buttó and Kevin Herget (who made his club debut) combined for four innings in which they allowed two runs (one earned), the unit continuing to look to be among the game’s strongest even as Minter could be lost for the season.
The Mets rode the momentum from Monday’s 19-run outburst in Washington and received contributions from just about everywhere, the homers coming from Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte and Alonso.
“Everybody seems like they’re clicking,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of a balanced attack that saw five different players drive in runs and seven starters reach base at least once.
The onslaught began in the second inning, when three two-out hits — an RBI double from Tyrone Taylor, an RBI single from José Azócar and a two-run blast from Lindor (his sixth of the season) frustrated Eduardo Rodriguez.
The batting practice continued an inning later, when Alonso walked and then jogged around the bases on Marte’s cloud-brushing homer. Luisangel Acuña (who racked up two more hits and is batting .300) singled, stole second and then glided home on another two-out hit from Taylor, who enjoyed the best all-around game on the team.
Taylor and Lindor were the defensive stars of a top of the fourth inning that was as sparkling as any this season.
“The defense was spectacular,” said Peterson, who is credited for giving three hugs to Taylor after a memorable fourth that entailed:
“It’s getting really close,” went through Peterson’s mind. “Holy crap he got there.”
Awaiting in the home dugout was a line of high-fives as if a few fielders had just hit home runs. After Taylor’s hand was worn out, Peterson gave him a hug. And then another one after Peterson exited the game. And then another one in the clubhouse after the win.
In a home in which the Mets feel at home, there were plenty of embraces both on the field and in the stands.
“Those are our expectations that [the fans] continue to support us,” Mendoza said after the 2025 Mets became the 11th team in MLB history to win at least 13 of its first 14 home games. “I feel like as a team, it’s a good feeling coming to the ballpark every day, knowing that they’re going to be right there with you.”
