Carlos Gomez‘ late-inning heroics in the New York Mets’ 6-4 sweep-clinching win over the Nationals on Thursday afternoon came at a time when this team needed it the most.
A 2-for-3 day at the plate, including a 113.5 mph single off Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg, a stolen base that resulted in him losing a shoe, and a 105.8 mph, go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth, seemed to light a fire underneath this team, as well as its being-slowly-tortured fan base.
After lollygagging through the first quarter of the season – and nearly getting their manager fired in the process – the Mets have sprung to life this week, coming from behind in three-out-of-four wins to sweep the surprisingly bottom-feeding Nats.
With the 18-29 Detroit Tigers coming into town for a Memorial Day Weekend soiree and the Mets just a game under .500 after appearing lifeless and five games under that mark after being swept last weekend at the hands of Miami, signs of life are a great thing.
It may be coincidental, but things have looked a bit more lively since Carlos Gomez returned to Flushing on May 17. The 33-year-old’s start in right field that night tied together 4,248 days between appearances in blue and orange for the Dominican native. Many moons ago, Gomez was a budding star for the Mets.
Despite hitting just .232/.288/.304 over 139 plate appearances for the 2007 Mets — and though it was very short-lived — the combination of Gomez, Carlos Beltran, and Endy Chavez roaming the green grass of Shea could arguably be the best outfield alignment I’ve ever seen this team field.
Alas, he was packaged in the deal that brought Johan Santana to the Mets in February 2008, and off he went to the Twins.
Gomez compiled a .253/.314/.415 slash line with 140 homers, 524 RBIs, 230 doubles, two All-Star appearances (2013 and 2014) and a Gold Glove (2013) over 11 major-league seasons with Minnesota, Milwaukee, Houston, Texas, and Tampa Bay before signing a minor league deal with New York this spring.
Recent injuries to a large portion of the Mets’ outfield in Michael Conforto (concussion), Brandon Nimmo (neck), and Jeff McNeil (left hamstring strain) have left the Mets in a tough spot.
At a time when they are literally fighting every day to stay alive in the National League East, losing the above-mentioned group to injuries, as well as Robinson Cano (quad), over the span of a week or so could have sent this team into a tailspin.
Thankfully, things appear to be working themselves out. Another outfield reinforcement, Rajai Davis, put the Mets ahead in Wednesday night’s win over the Nats with his pinch-hit three-run homer, and Gomez’ three-run laser on Thursday completed a much-needed four-game sweep of their reeling divison-mates.
We’ve all seen roster shakeups produce false results in the past — a brief spurt of success only to see the same uninspired habits return — but apparently, the energy Gomez brings to the clubhouse is rubbing off on the rest of the group.
“I think everybody [in the clubhouse] respects him for the way [Gomez] comes every day whether he’s going to play or not. He’s very well respected. He brings energy every day,” Mets skipper Mickey Callaway told the press after Thursday’s win. “That’s what [Gomez] brings and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to get him up here. It’s leadership, it’s ability […]”
“Even [Ryan O’Rourke],” Callaway added, “When he got here today, said ‘Hey, we were missing GoGo [in Syracuse]’.”
As reported by Tim Healey of Newsday, O’Rourke — called up on Thursday — experienced quite the change of heart after spending some time with Carlos Gomez in Triple-A Syracuse.
“I used to play against him, and I hate him — despise him — when he is on the other team. He was next to me in the locker room [in Spring Training], which was a little questionable at first,” the 31-year-old left-hander said. “Then you get to know him, get to watch him, see the way he plays — literally my favorite player […] of all-time.”
“He seriously is. He plays with so much passion that you have to be in the same locker room, talk to him to understand it.”
Even Thursday’s starter, Steven Matz (six innings, 10 hits, one earned run, seven strikeouts, two walks), had to acknowledge what Gomez’ presence has meant to this team thus far, again via Newsday.
“We’re rolling right now. [Gomez] brings the morale around here up and it’s cool to see him do what he did [on Thursday].”
Gomez seemed fairly pleased to be back, as well (video via Mets social media).
“It’s unbelievable. I’m blessed. To come back here […] and play the way we’re playing right now, with a lot of energy,” Gomez said. “I’m going to enjoy it every time. You guys can notice that — in the dugout, playing defense, I’m like a little kid. I enjoy every single moment that God gives me the opportunity to play the game that I love.”
Carlos, your passion is contagious. Let’s hope it can carry this team through some upcoming lean times. Who knows? Maybe this sweep of the Nats will be looked back upon as a turning point in a special season, and Carlos Gomez will be the catalyst no one was ever expecting.
