The Mets gambled on bringing back Jose Reyes because they needed a leadoff hitter to spark their listless offense. What they envisioned came to fruition Friday night in Miami in what truly can be described as a must-win game.
Reyes ripped three hits, scored two runs, drove in another, stole a base and had several sparkling defensive plays in a 5-3 victory to pull them within a half-game of the Marlins for the final wild-card spot.
“I needed to step up my game a little bit and set the tone,” Reyes said after the game. “We know we had to win the first game of the series because they have Jose Fernandez going tomorrow and he’s one of the best pitchers in the league.”
The Mets’ offense still has holes, but if Reyes keeps having games like Friday’s, the leadoff spot won’t be one of them.
“This guy produces runs,” manager Terry Collins told reporters. “We have a lot of games left to play and hopefully he’ll be a big part of our line-up. … Hopefully, he’ll have a lot more like this.”
Reyes did commit a throwing error, but overall his defense at third has exceeded expectations, and the more comfortable he gets the even better he will be.
There were many out there who felt Jose Reyes was done as a player including the guys in the Mets broadcast booth, but clearly Reyes has shown he still has plenty of fuel left in the tank.
More games like Friday’s and the decision to bring back No. 7 may end up being the second best move of the 2016 season for Sandy Alderson after re-signing Yoenis Cespedes.
In his last six games, Reyes is 7-for-23 with two walks, two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and three stolen bases. It reads like a vintage Jose Reyes week straight out of 2006.
