NEW YORK — Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor isn’t one to show too much emotion after a big home run. Big hits have become the norm for the de facto captain who is putting together another sensational season.
In Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Mother’s Day, Lindor couldn’t contain it.
With the game tied 2-2 in the eighth inning, Lindor capitalized on a hanging sweeper, driving it deep into the Mets’ bullpen to give New York a 3-2 lead.
After crossing home plate, Lindor was unusually demonstrative, pounding his chest and shouting into his dugout, drawing pumped reactions from his teammates.
“Today, I just wanted to make sure I did something for the boys,” Lindor said. “I wasn’t trying to (hit) a home run, I was just trying to have a quality at-bat and let the big boys do what they do. Then the emotions just came out.
“I definitely had my mom in my mind and my sisters, my wife. Definitely had them in my mind.”
Like a rallying cry, his teammates answered, pouring on three more runs in the inning the bury the Cubs.
First baseman Pete Alonso poked a double to left field, and then third baseman Mark Vientos, who had homered in his previous at-bat, followed with an RBI double to extend the lead 4-2.
After Vientos, left fielder Brandon Nimmo padded the lead, hitting a 381-foot two-run home run into the Mets’ bullpen.
Lindor’s display of emotion wasn’t lost on his teammates and manager Carlos Mendoza, who reminded onlookers that “we’re watching greatness here.”
“I thought he showed a bit more (emotion) today, to be honest with you,” Mendoza said. “He’s built for this moment. It’s never too big for him, and that’s what great players do.”
After going 2-for-4 on Sunday, Lindor improved his batting average from .296 to .301. His nine home runs lead all big league shortstops.
Vientos commented on how Lindor’s emotion impacted the bench.
“I love it because that’s the type of player I feel like I am,” Vientos said. “You’re competing, you want to win, you get the win, you let it all out. Show everyone how excited you are.”
