Photo via USA Today.
Starling Marte did it all for the Mets on Saturday night against the Mariners. While Patrick Mazeika will get all the headlines for his late go-ahead home run, Marte had the best night at the plate. A night that the Mets knew he was capable of when they signed him to a four-year, $78,000,000 contract in the offseason.
Marte’s busy night started in the first as he hit a sharp line drive out to right-center and used his blistering speed to reach third base. Now, he was originally called out, but the call was overturned following a challenge. Marte was credited with a triple and went on to score via a single from Francisco Lindor.
Starling Marte:
– singled
– stole second
– went to third when the throw went into center field pic.twitter.com/tDJnDk0Nxb— SNY (@SNYtv) May 15, 2022
The 33-year-old was locked in from the very start as he registered his second extra base hit. A double in the third. He connected well on a changeup thrown by local kid George Kirby. In doing so, he advanced Brandon Nimmo to third base.
Marte later singled on a ground ball out to center field in the seventh inning for his third hit of the game. He then, for the first time in 17 games, showed his speed and instincts to steal second. In doing so, he forced an errant throw by the catch then took third. This completed what was an all-action performance at the plate.
With the Mets winning in dramatic fashion, it proved to be the Marte’s game as he finished his night 3-for-4 with a triple, a double, and a stolen base. He was just a home run shy of the cycle. Marte also scored three of the Mets’ five runs, epitomizing the term difference-maker.
But, the most impressive aspect about Saturday was how disciplined Marte was at the plate. He grinned out at-bats and saw a decent amount of pitches. Couple this with his constant hustle, which can make things happen out of nothing, he will always be a threat for the Mets.
Through 32 games in 2022, Marte is slashing .269/.403/.718 with 36 hits, three home runs, 20 RBI, and five stolen bases. The Mets were in desperate need of a difference-maker in the outfield this offseason. And, as was perfectly demonstrated on Saturday night, Marte is just that and more when he’s playing at the peak of his powers.
