The ire on Sunday morning from those on #MetsTwitter dissecting daily lineups came because of Brett Baty not starting. Well, as most things have gone on the field in 2025, now officially over a quarter finished, the results made management look smart. Starling Marte, who took Baty’s spot in the lineup, got on base twice and scored the first run of the game, and Mark Vientos, who took Baty’s spot on the field, hit a home run and drove in two runs.

It was a continuation of positive performance for Vientos, who’s now got at least one base hit in six straight starts. In May, Vientos is slashing .313/.353./406, a big step up from his .212/.297/.394 line in March and April. His method for success during the Sunday matinee was to swing early and often.

In his four at-bats, Vientos saw a total of five pitches. He took a curveball for a strike against Matthew Boyd in the fourth inning but saw four other pitches, all fastballs, making contact with each one. Vientos made solid contact on each turn, hitting the ball 97.4, 97.7, 101.4 (home run) and 90.9 mph. That final hit, while not as fast, was effective, leading to an RBI single up the middle.

“It’s good to see Mark being the player we know he’s capable of,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, “I feel like his at-bats have been a lot better, he’s been consistent.”

Vientos’s big game came a day after Baty hit two homers playing the hot corner. While it’s certainly too early to label it a platoon at third base, Mendoza says it’s nice to have options when constructing the lineup, and plenty of playing time will be dolled out.

“We’ll find room, I’ve been saying it,” Mendoza said, “There’s 13 guys there. It doesn’t matter (which) nine you put (in the starting lineup), you feel good about your chances.”

Mendoza has certainly been pushing the right button so far this season. It also helps when most of his options are ready to fire.