Big leagues
Published June 17, 2024 at 12:46 am ET
The Mets’ lead, which at one point stood at six runs, was reduced to one.
The Padres took a four-run lead in the eighth that prompted Edwin Díaz to start preparing in the bullpen and have a lot of nerves spread around Citi Field.
But four pitches later came an exhale.
Mets catcher Luis Torrens is congratulated after hitting a home run in the eighth inning Sunday against the Padres at Citi Field. Roberto Sabo
To start the bottom of the eighth, Luis Torrens took a 2-1, 98 mph fastball from pitcher Jeremiah Estrada and fired it 403 feet to center, barely clearing the wall for his third home run of the season and valuable insurance. .
“Huge,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of his catcher’s swing after an 11-6 win over the Padres. “You could feel it in the dugout as soon as he hit the ball, the reaction of the guys.
“Now you’re up by two, it kind of cuts off a little bit of the momentum they had going into the ninth.”
The Mets continued from there, turning four more hits and a walk into three additional runs, but Torrens’ hit started the frame.
Just eight games into his Mets tenure, Torrens has been a revelation.
Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill tries in vain to locate Luis Torrens’ home run Sunday at Citi Field. KeynoteUSA
After his 2-for-4 afternoon, his OPS is 1.148, trailing only John Buck (1.244) and Todd Pratt (1.163) among Mets catchers in his first eight games with the team.
The Mets acquired the 28-year-old from the Yankees system in a trade on May 31 that led to Omar Narváez being designated for assignment.
Torrens, who has also played far superior defense, has four extra-base hits in eight games; Narváez had two in 28.
Torrens’ emergence also forced the Mets to DFA Tomas Nido once Francisco Álvarez returned.
Torrens has been extraordinary, but in the ninth inning came a reminder of how short a time he has been with the Mets.
Alvarez was substituted to catch the final inning, Mendoza said, in case Diaz was asked to pitch.
Torrens has yet to catch the closer.
Mets pitcher Kodai Senga watches during Amazin’s game against the Marlins on Wednesday. fake images
Kodai Senga felt good after throwing a 30-35 bullpen session on Saturday, Mendoza said.
The right-hander, who has yet to debut this season due to a shoulder strain and several setbacks, is expected to throw a fourth bullpen session on Wednesday.
“Hopefully,” Mendoza said, the next step would be facing hitters.
About three hours before the first pitch, Mendoza was on the field catching with his sons, Adrián and Andrés.
It was a nice Father’s Day for the first Major League coach.
“It means a lot. It’s a privilege,” Mendoza said. “What a blessing to have the opportunity to come to work and have my children, now that they are at an age where they know how to behave.
“But it’s special, something I’ll never forget.”
Padres star Manny Machado gives his opinion to home plate umpire Adam Beck on Sunday. Machado was ejected from the game. Roberto Sabo
Padres star Manny Machado and manager Mike Shildt were ejected in the sixth inning.
Machado disagreed with a strike three call, hit the ground with his bat and had some words for home plate umpire Adam Beck before being ejected.
Machado then confronted Beck to argue until Shildt replaced him, leading to Shildt’s uppercut.
Harrison Bader (2-for-4 with an RBI double and a steal) has seven extra-base hits and 13 RBIs in his last 17 games.
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