One of the big positives of the New York Mets’ second half has been the offensive emergence of Francisco Lindor. Coming into the game on Saturday against the Washington Nationals, Lindor had garnered a .277 average with an OPS of .915. Lindor capped off a come-from-behind win in the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off hit as the Mets took game two of this weekend series 5-4. The Mets bullpen held their own again, and Sean Manaea, while subject to two home runs, was still solid. The Mets are now 55-69 on the season. 

Photo by Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports

Lindor’s Strong Second Half Continues 

A lot of attention has been on Lindor about his future with the team. While that question will have to be answered in the offseason, his bat is helping his case to the Mets. Lindor reached base three times in the game and notched two hits. The second hit was the one that sent the Mets off with a win. The inning started with a walk by Brett Baty against Yovanny Cruz. Jorge Polanco, who had been really struggling, singled. Francisco Alvarez lined a double down the left field line to tie the game. With runners on second and third and one out after AJ Ewing struck out, Lindor took a step to the plate.

On a 1-2 count, Lindor lined a hit right over the head of Dylan Crews that scored the winning run and propelled the Mets to another win. It was New York’s sixth walk-off hit of the season. As for Lindor, while his defense still has room for improvement, his offense has picked up.

Dedniel Nunez and Jefry Yan Comes Through Out of The Pen

Sean Manaea pitched solidly through 6 1/3 innings, but two home runs, including a go-ahead three-run home run to Brady House, hurt him. That homer gave the Nationals a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning. However, the bullpen stepped up again and picked up Manaea and gave the Mets offense a chance to come back. On Saturday, it was Dedniel Nunez and Jefry Yan‘s turn. Nunez came in for Manaea with one out in the seventh inning and a runner on third base. Nunez got Crews to fly out to Carson Benge in right field, who then proceeded to throw out runner Andrew Pinckey at home to keep it a one-run game.

Yan came in for Nunez with a runner on first and one out in the eighth inning. He struck out Harry Ford to end the eighth, and then he struck out two more batters in the ninth inning. Which led to the Citi Field crowd to see his leaping strikeout celebration for the first time live.

Big Day for Carson Benge

Benge didn’t just make a big play with his defense late in the game. He also made an impact with his bat. With the Mets down 4-2 in the sixth inning, Benge launched a solo home run to make the deficit to a one-run game. His 14th home run of the year had an exit velocity of 98.6 mph and traveled 372 feet. Benge also drew two walks on the day and scored a run, as his OPS continues to tick up.

Player of the Game: Francisco Lindor

Lindor reached base three times, recorded two hits, and walked it off with an RBI hit to complete the Mets’ comeback in the ninth inning.

On Deck:

Christian Scott will take the mound for the Mets on Sunday afternoon against Jake Irvin. The game will start at 1:40pm EDT and will be telecast locally on SNY and broadcast on WHSQ 880AM.