The Mets have waited since April to get David Wright back in the lineup, but he quickly made his presence felt last night during his first at-bat.
The Mets captain crushed a mammoth home run against Phillies’ starter Adam Morgan, and he finished the day going 2-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored.
The home run was a towering shot that landed in the upper deck of Citizens Bank Park and was estimated at 465 feet. It was the first of eight home runs for the Mets, setting a new franchise record.
The Mets got long balls from Wright, Juan Lagares, Travis d’Arnaud, Michael Cuddyer, Daniel Murphy, Yoenis Cespedes, and two from Wilmer Flores. The Mets also set a franchise record with 15 extra-base hits.
“Offensively, it was awesome to be a part of,” said Wright about the team’s performance. “I can’t remember if I’ve ever been a part of an offensive game like that.”
Wright told reporters that he tried to keep his emotions in check as he prepared for the game.
“When you’re thinking about coming back — and I had a lot of time to think about it — you think of different scenarios,” Wright said.
“You think of your first at-bat and what it’s going to feel like and trying to keep your emotions in check and things like that. It couldn’t have been any better for me, personally, my first at-bat.”
“I had to be careful. I almost pulled a Wilmer Flores out there,” Wright said, alluding when Flores began crying on the field after he thought he was being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Wright now has 20 career homers at Citizens Bank Park, the most of any visiting player since the ballpark opened in 2004.
There was uncertainty about how good he would be once he returned, but last night he looked like the David Wright of old. If he is able to perform at a high level like he showed yesterday, the Mets will be an even more dangerous team down the stretch in September and perhaps into October.
Welcome back, Captain!
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