Francisco Lindor may have been snubbed in the All-Star vote, but he was the hero on Sunday. He went 3-for-4, starting with a single, double, and a walk, boosting his slash line to .250/.316/.447. Lindor delivered the clutch moment the Mets needed when they were down to their last out.
Despite a tough day for the offense, Lindor reached base four times, tallying a double, two RBIs, and a walk. He then faced former Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth. Chapman came in for the save, walking Francisco Alvarez to start the ninth, and gave up a single to Harrison Bader. He struck out Mark Vientos and Luis Torrens, but Jose Iglesias worked him for eight pitches, drawing a walk to load the bases.
With the Mets down to their last out, Lindor lined a slider to left field, perfectly placing it in front of the left fielder. He saw a 101-mph fastball for a ball and then took a slider for a strike before hitting another slider to left field, driving in the tying and go-ahead runs. Pinch-runner Ben Gamel and Harrison Bader scored, putting the Mets back on top, 3-2.
Francisco Lindor; clutch!
The #Mets retake the lead via a two-out single. Huge at-bat by José Iglesias to work the walk prior.
The Mets continue to own Aroldis Chapman who entered today with a 6.23 career ERA against NYM (highest of any team).pic.twitter.com/9AegD84On2
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) July 7, 2024
Entering Sunday, Francisco Lindor ranked second in fWAR among National League shortstops. Lindor continues his resurgence over the last two months, hitting .277/.335/.492 with ten homers, 34 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases over his last 58 games.
After a forgetful April, the four-time All-Star has 22 multi-hit games since the beginning of May, which is tied for the fifth most in MLB in that span. Over his last 30 games, he has a slash line of .286/.350/.532 with six home runs and 16 RBIs, along with eight stolen bases in 126 at-bats.
Sunday’s performance perfectly showcased Lindor’s ability to take control of a game, significantly adding to the Mets’ efforts to turn their season around. While there’s a chance he can be considered as an injury replacement for the All-Star game, Lindor currently stands out as one of the top players not named to the roster. In the bigger picture, this situation benefits the Mets, as Lindor is living up to his contract and proving his worth on the field.
The post Francisco Lindor Is Mr. Clutch Despite All-Star Snub appeared first on Metsmerized Online.
