Francisco Lindor, the star shortstop for the New York Mets, had been struggling at the plate for the first month of the season. With his batting average below .150 from the left side, Lindor was determined to find his swing. However, he remained optimistic and confident that he was close to breaking through.
In a game against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, Lindor finally had a breakout performance. He collected four hits, including two two-run homers, leading the Mets to an 8-2 victory and avoiding a sweep. His performance was praised by his teammates, with Tyrone Taylor describing Lindor as a “dawg” who rakes.
Lindor’s first homer came in the third inning off Sean Hjelle, giving the Mets their first lead since Saturday. He then crushed another two-run homer off Mitch White in the ninth inning. In addition to his two homers, Lindor also had an infield single and a ground-ball single. This impressive performance significantly improved his OPS for the season and his left-handed average.
Lindor attributed his success to a breakthrough he had during the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. He pointed to a strikeout against Yoshinobu Yamamoto as a productive at-bat that made him feel ready to break out of his slump. Since then, he has been making better decisions at the plate and has been more in control of his at-bats.
The Mets’ hitting coach, Jeremy Barnes, emphasized the importance of staying the course and not panicking during a slump. He noted that many of Lindor’s peripheral stats align with his career-long record, suggesting that his struggles could be temporary. While Lindor’s strikeout rate is at its lowest with the Mets, his average exit velocity and expected slugging numbers are down.
The Mets were thrilled to see Lindor’s breakout performance on Wednesday, especially from the left side of the plate. Before the West Coast trip, Lindor had not recorded an extra-base hit from the left side. Now, he has four. Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Lindor’s ability to drive the ball with authority.
Lindor’s success was not the only highlight of the game for the Mets. Starling Marte and Pete Alonso had been carrying the team offensively in the previous two games, but on Wednesday, other players stepped up. Tyrone Taylor contributed a solo homer and a two-run double, while Jeff McNeil had two hits. The Mets’ offense showed promise and depth, with contributions from multiple players.
Looking ahead, the Mets are expecting to add another big hitter to their lineup in J.D. Martinez. Lindor believes that the offense has room for improvement and will continue to grow stronger.
Overall, Lindor’s breakout performance against the Giants was a significant moment for him and the Mets. It showcased his resilience and determination to overcome a slump, while also highlighting the potential of the team’s offense. With Lindor finding his groove, the Mets are poised to make a stronger push in the season.