Dominating at Home: Francisco Lindor's Electric Homerun Show at Citi Field
Mets' Francisco Lindor hits two home runs as they withstand a late Phillies surge, securing their fifth consecutive victory.
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Francisco Lindor, the pulsating heart of the Mets' home-field dominance this season, is an apparent superhero at Citi Field.
On Monday night, Lindor put on a spectacle, blasting two home runs in a 5-4 win over the Phillies, stretching their incredible winning streak to five games.
In the seventh inning, Lindor launched a three-run bomb that secured the Mets' final runs. Coincidentally, he also smashed a leading homer for a second day in a row. Every one of Lindor's dinger this season has been launched at his fortress: home plate.
"The crowd energy here has played a major role," Lindor remarked.
Lindor's impressive bat work marked the perfect start for the Mets' first genuine test this season, a rematch against the NLDS champions from last year - the Phillies.
The Mets (16-7) are upbeat at their home turf, having won an outstanding 10 out of their first 11 games at Citi Field. Lindor shines on this patch of land, boasting a .467 OPS on the road compared to an impressive 1.248 at home.
"Lindor is a player we know will shine in the stats at the end of the season," manager Carlos Mendoza stated. "Don't expect anything less from Lindor once we hit the road, he's simply a spectacular talent on fire right now, just playing on familiar ground."
Lindor wasted no time, belting a 2-2 knuckle-curve from Aaron Nola into the right field seats, starting off the game with a home run. Lindor joined Curtis Granderson (2017) and Kaz Matsui (2004) as the only Mets players with leadoff homers on consecutive days.
"Its all about passing the baton," Lindor said, giving credit to his teammates. "I have one of the best hitters [Juan Soto] in the league behind me, they are just doing their job, and all I gotta do is focus on my process and pass it to them."
Jesse Winker homered in the second to provide the Mets with a 2-0 lead, marking the first of the season for Winker, whose OPS up until then had been a dismal .581.
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Tylor Megill showcased his talent in a night of 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 10 batters while giving up only one hit and walking four.
The Phillies' best opportunity against Megill came in the third, when they managed to load the bases with two outs. But Megill dazzled with a clutch strikeout of Kyle Schwarber.
Soto appeared to have round the bases for a three-run home run in the third inning, but a replay review determined the ball hooked foul just before the pole. Soto was then retired, and the Mets failed to score in the frame as Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo struck out.
Reed Garrett escaped a tight spot in the sixth by striking out J.T. Realmuto with the tying runs on base. Garrett entered after Megill had struck out Schwarber, following a leadoff walk to Bryce Harper.
In the seventh, Luisangel Acuña singled, and Brett Baty walked, ending Nola's outing. José Ruiz got Tyrone Taylor to hit into a fielder’s choice. Taylor's heroic effort to avoid being doubled up at first base didn't go unnoticed by Lindor and Mendoza.
"Taylor's hustle wasn't just for himself, it helped me get that home run," Lindor acknowledged. "I was trying to beat it out."
Lindor responded by launching a 95 mph fastball over the center field fence, giving the Mets a 5-0 lead.
"He's not swinging and missing, he's laying off some tough ones," Mendoza commented. "When he's getting pitches in the strike zone, he's not overlooking them."
Max Kranick returned to the mound for the ninth, facing three hits before Edwin Díaz stepped up to clinch the save. Díaz allowed a home run to Bryson Stott before retiring Trea Turner and Harper to end the matchup.
- Tyrone, a member of the Mets, displayed a remarkable example of hustle, which directly played a part in Francisco Lindor's home run in the seventh inning.
- Every home run hit by Lindor this season has been launched at home plate, making Citi Field his fortress.
- Lindor's impressive performance marked the perfect start for the Mets' first genuine test this season, a rematch against the NLDS champions from last year - the Phillies.
- Despite being on the road, manager Carlos Mendoza believes Lindor will continue to shine, describing him as a spectacular talent on fire right now.
