Brett Baty showed up at the plate and in the field on Friday night for a strong all-around performance that led the Mets to a 3-2 win over the Reds.
While Baty came into the game slashing just .222/.333/.389 with one extra-base hit, he came through on Friday night. Baty went 2-for-3 at the plate, while also making two game-changing plays in the field to help José Quintana in his start against the Reds.
In the fifth inning, Baty lunged to his left to snag a 104-mph line drive between third base and shortstop, taking away at least a single from Spencer Steer.
Steer, who had already homered in the first inning, was robbed of a base hit and a run batted in. The defense play kept the game tied at 1-1 and was just the beginning of Baty’s impressive night on the field.
Apr 5, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (22) throws to first to get Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Jeimer Candelario (not pictured) out in the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
The next spectacular play came in the bottom of the sixth. With Elly De La Cruz at the plate and one out, the switch hitter chopped a weak grounder toward Francisco Lindor. However, Baty cut off the gold glove shortstop, and made a perfect throw to Pete Alonso to beat De La Cruz by half a step.
“The first step to the ball on the diving play, he made another nice play on De La Cruz, he got rid of it quick… He’s playing really good defense right now,” praised Carlos Mendoza after the game. “He’s a guy that the more he goes out there, seems like his confidence continues to show up.”
Confidence has been key to Baty’s success this season. Earlier this week, SNY’s Steve Gelb reported that Baty came into the 2024 with a new mindset reminding himself he’s a top 30 third baseman in the world. For one night in Cincinnati, he played like the best in the league.
Baty’s performance wasn’t only noticed by Mendoza and the fans at home. Teammates Jeff McNeil and Quintana, who also were instrumental in Friday’s win, spoke on the third baseman’s night.
“Those were huge,” McNeil said. “Pretty cool to see how good of a third base he’s playing right now. He’s very athletic and making those diving catches, one of those saved a run… Huge play.”
Those two plays kept a run from scoring in the fifth, and a potential baserunner from reaching in the sixth, allowing McNeil to extend the Mets’ lead to 3-1 with a solo homer in the top of the eighth.
“That’s a great play and changed a whole inning,” Quintana added on Baty’s diving grab in the fifth.
Baty also spoke on his epic performance on Friday. He stated the diving play was more pure reaction than skill.
“The dive to (the) left is just straight reaction,” Baty said. “I don’t know how hard it was hit, but it was hit pretty hard, and I think that’s just a reaction play. Just trying to get your glove in front of it.”
Regardless of reaction or skill, the performance from Baty was a major contributor to the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Reds. His two defensive plays kept runs off the board, while his 2-for-3 night at the plate raised his batting average to .286 on the season. The win was needed, as it was only the second win of the season in their first seven games.
