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NEW YORK (AP) – Third baseman Mark Vientos was back in the New York Mets’ lineup Tuesday night against Philadelphia after missing two games due to groin discomfort.
Vientos left Saturday´s 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth, one inning after making a leaping catch. Brett Baty played third on Sunday and Monday.
With the first-place Mets facing Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in the middle game of their series, Vientos returned to the cleanup spot in the batting order.
“Just been taking care of it, recovering, and stick to that process. So, it feels good,” Vientos said following a 5-1 victory that extended New York´s winning streak to six games.
The 25-year-old Vientos entered hitting .167 with two home runs, six RBIs and a .565 OPS. He was 0 for 13 against lefties this season and 1 for 22 with runners in scoring position – although he went deep last Thursday and Friday for his first two homers of the year.
But he improved all those numbers with a two-out RBI double off Sánchez in the first inning.
New York Mets’ Mark Vientos (27) hits an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
“It’s crazy. It doesn’t feel different at all. I feel like I’ve been doing the same thing. I’m just finding holes now,” Vientos said. “I think that’s the hardest part about this game is just not getting away from yourself, no matter if you have results or not.”
Then he turned in a difficult defensive play in the second that saved at least one run – aided by a tough scoop from first baseman Pete Alonso.
“I gave him a big hug right after that,” Vientos said with a smile. “He gets underappreciated for how good he is over there.”
Vientos had a breakout season in 2024, hitting .266 with 27 homers, 71 RBIs and an .837 OPS. He added five home runs during the playoffs and set a Mets postseason record with 14 RBIs as New York reached the National League Championship Series.
Left fielder Brandon Nimmo was rested against the lefty, with the Mets in a stretch of 13 straight games without an off day. José Azócar started in Nimmo´s place and batted ninth.
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New York Mets’ Mark Vientos, left, slides past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, right, to score on a single by Luis Torrens of a baseball game Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets’ Mark Vientos (27), José Azocar (28), Juan Soto (22) and Luisangel Acuña (2) celebrates with teammates after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets’ Mark Vientos (27) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Sunday, April 13, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
New York Mets’ Mark Vientos hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, April 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets’ Mark Vientos (27) gestures after hitting an RBI double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Mets’ Tyrone Taylor (15) celebrates with teammates Mark Vientos (27), Brandon Nimmo (9) and Luisangel Acuña (2) after a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, April 17, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo (9) catches St. Louis Cardinals’ Jordan Walker (18) ball, resulting in Walker flying out, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates his leaping catch against the St. Louis Cardinals during Cardinals’ Jordan Walker’s ball, resulting in Walker flying out during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
