Lindor Homers From Left Side in Friday Night’s Win
For the majority of Friday night, the Mets looked in control over the Dodgers.
They had put up four runs against offseason villain Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Sean Manaea, who characteristically struggled against the Dodgers, held the potent lineup to two runs over five innings.
The Mets were cruising. And even though the lead was only 4-2, the offense in every inning except the first and fifth had posed a scoring threat.
But, as West Coast trips have historically gone, something went wrong, and the Mets threw away another lead.
Francisco Lindor. Photo by Roberto Carlo
The Dodgers scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth, all started by two errors at third base by Joey Wendle. And to make matters worse, the two runs were driven in by Chris Taylor, who entering the at-bat was 0 for his last 30.
The Mets were in danger of losing a lead late in California. Potentially halting their momentum after leaving Queens with a dynamic win over the Pirates on Wednesday.
But, faced with a 4-4 tie late in the seventh, the Mets found that late-inning magic they’ve had all season long. And it came from someone who desperately needed it.
Francisco Lindor came to the plate with a runner on first and facing Daniel Hudson. The Mets shortstop went into the left-handers’ batter box to face the righty, the side of the plate where he was batting .145 and had no extra-base hits.
Lindor had a hard-fought at-bat, fouling back a couple of pitches, while Starling Marte stole second base to set up his teammate. All the Mets needed was a base knock and they’d have the lead back.
Instead, Lindor provided more. He launched a hanging slider from Hudson 396 feet to the right-center, clearing the fence for his second homer of the season, and first extra-base hit from the left side.
The homer gave the Mets a 6-4 lead, which they eventually opened up to 9-4 and won by. It was a massive win for the Mets, and homer for Lindor, who had been struggling at the plate from the left side.
“Felt amazing,” Lindor told Steve Gelbs after the game. “It was one of those situations where I’ve been missing the baseball by half an inch or even smaller, centimeters. But finally, I was able to square one up.”
FRANCISCO LINDOR! ????
Lindor puts the Mets ahead with his first homer as a lefty his year!
pic.twitter.com/tUh83SjuV7— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) April 20, 2024
The homer not only ignited the Mets, but Lindor and the team. After the go-ahead homer, the Mets shortstop was seen receiving hugs from Marte and DJ Stewart after rounding the bases.
“My reaction was as genuine as it could be,” Lindor said. “My teammates are amazing, and the coaches are outstanding. They’ve been picking me up and sticking with me. The ovations, those things have been incredible, it’s made things easier.”
Lindor’s break-out party would be a massive boost for the Mets. The team has gone 11-3 in their last 14 games, all with Lindor slashing .151/.259/.219 and 0-for-16 with runners in scoring position entering Friday night.
If the Mets could get the elite offensive production they’re accustomed to from Lindor, the team would only take another step forward. Still, they’re 11-3 in their last 14 games, and now 11-8 on the season. Lindor and the Mets will look to win their fifth straight game in a row Saturday afternoon against Gavin Stone and the Dodgers.
The post Lindor Homers From Left Side in Friday Night’s Win appeared first on Metsmerized Online.