D’Andre Smith. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
D’Andre Smith made sure that Triple-A Syracuse would have at least one more meaningful game to play in September.
The Mets were two outs from missing the playoffs when Smith hit a walk-off, two-run home run for a 5-4 win over Lehigh Valley Saturday that kept them a half-game back of Rochester in the International League second-half standings with one game to play. See the homer here.
Syracuse, which has won five in a row, needs to win Sunday and have Rochester lose to make the playoffs.
Triple-A
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (67-81) 4, Syracuse Mets (81-67) 5
- CF D’Andre Smith, 1-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI (.929 OPS)
- 3B Jefferson Rojas, 0-for-4, 2 K (1.335 OPS)
- 1B Billy Amick, 1-for-4, 2B, R, 3 K (.778 OPS)
- RF MJ Melendez, 1-for-4, K (.965 OPS)
- DH Ryan Clifford, 0-for-2, R, BB (.640 OPS)
- 2B Vidal Bruján, 1-for-3, 2B, SAC (.806 OPS)
- SS Zack Short, 2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB (.703 OPS)
- C Hayden Senger, 1-for-3, R, K (.753 OPS)
Smith also made a diving catch in center field with the bases loaded. The 25-year-old was a fifth-round pick in 2022 out of USC. He is not a top prospect, but has played well in 30 games at Syracuse with six homers, five doubles and 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts. He posted a .651 OPS in 31 games at Double-A Binghamton this year.
- RHP Dan Hammer (4.07 ERA) 2 IP, H, 2 K
- RHP Matt Seelinger (4.28 ERA) IP, H, 3 K
- LHP Matt Turner (4.91 ERA) 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K
- RHP Zach Franklin (3.69 ERA) IP, BB, 2 K
- RHP Chayce McDermott (3.60 ERA) IP, ER, 3 H, K, W
