Photo by Roberto Carlo
Mets rookie Nick Plummer put an exclamation point on his first major league start on Sunday against the Phillies. Going into the ninth inning, Plummer was 0-for-3 and looking for his first big league hit. The Mets were down by one and needed a big ninth inning.
Down by one, the rookie Plummer came up to the plate in a big spot and he delivered in glorious fashion, blasting a solo home run, his first career hit and first career home run as the Mets tied the game 4-4.
With his home run Sunday night, Plummer now has a major league batting average and OPS, hitting .200 with a 1.000 OPS
Prior to being called up to New York, Plummer was with Triple-A Syracuse where he was batting .250/.313/.511, with a .824 OP
Mets manager Buck Showalter spoke to the media on Plummer’s ninth-inning game tying home run, saying he was the Mets’ best option in the ninth.
“Nobody pushes harder than he (Plummer) does,” said Showalter. “He’s got so much ‘want to’ that sometimes it gets in the way. He’s got a good track-record and one we are going to trust. He’s as good a professional that you could want on your club.”
Eduardo Escobar, who hit the game-winning walk-off hit also spoke about Plummer’s first career home run.
“I’m so happy for the kid, man,” said Escobar, who stated the home run was in unbelievable fashion and that hopefully Plummer will have more ahead.
Plummer rounded out post-game interviews and spoke on the excitement of his MLB debut and first big league hit.
“It was cool man; just to be in there and start… It’s been cool to get out there with the guys, and ultimately get the win… It was “pretty surreal, no words,” said Plummer.
Plummer also said he did get his home run ball back and that the exchange was made for it.
