While all the rage these days centers around Yoenis Cespedes, and rightfully so, let’s not forget the heroics of utility infielder and outfielder Kelly Johnson.
Not only has Johnson filled in admirably at second base which hasn’t been a routine position for him before coming to the Mets, but Johnson has continued to amaze in clutch situations.
The 10 year veteran hit a big two-run homer versus Washington Nationals ace Max Sherzer on Monday. Then he blasted a pinch-hit solo homerun versus Stephen Strasburg in the eighth inning on Wednesday that tied the game and the Mets ultimately completed the three-game sweep.
And then of course last night, it was Johnson again who came through with an RBI single in the ninth inning to put the Mets ahead 5-4.
Johnson is hitting .435 (10-23) with seven runs scored, two home runs and seven RBI in nine games in September. He has proved to be a very important piece to this Mets offense, and it is exactly why I believe he has earned a spot on the postseason roster over Eric Young Jr.
Take a seat EY…
(Joe D .)
September 10
Terry Collins is pushing all the right buttons. First it was Kirk Nieuwenhuis on Tuesday night, last night it was Kelly Johnson. On a night where it looked like Stephen Strasburg was well on his way to knocking the Mets back down to Earth for a least a day, it was an eighth inning pinch hit solo homerun from Kelly Johnson that stole the show.
The Mets were looking for something, anything, to knock Stephen Strasburg out of cruise control, and it was Collins who opted to go with Kelly Johnson to pinch hit for Wilmer Flores in the top half of the eighth inning. It proved to be another brilliant decision from Collins, as Johnson tied the game and lit the fuse the Mets needed to come back and steal another from the Nationals and all but bury their playoff hopes.
While Terry Collins and his Mets may have the biggest smile on their faces after seeing what they’ve done these past three days in Washington, perhaps its Sandy Alderson who has the biggest grin of them all. Once again, it was one of his key mid-season acquisitions who came up big in a crucial spot.
Since joining the Mets, Johnson has hit just .253 but he has hit five home runs while driving in 12 runs, and there is no doubt that last night’s eighth inning game-tying homer was his biggest moment as a Met. He’s turning into exactly what Sandy Alderson and the Mets had hoped for when they acquired him along with Juan Uribe from the Atlanta Braves back in late July.
While Johnson won’t blow you away in one particular area, he has been in the league for 10 years and is a professional hitter who can come up big for you in huge spots. He did just that last night, and he’s starting to heat up just at the right time. In his last seven games, Johnson has a batting average of .467 with two home runs and six RBI.
It’s amazing what a little flexibility can do for a manager who is trying to get his ballclub to the postseason for the first time in nine years. On any given night the Mets have a variety of players who can step up in big moments. Last night it was Kelly Johnson’s turn.
Next man up.
