Jeff McNeil was just 8-for-49 over his last 15 games before Friday night.
But the second baseman finally had the breakout night he needed and had been looking for, homering to double the Mets runs from three to six to lead the Mets to a 7-2 win over the scorching-hot Astros.
Jun 28, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Overall, McNeil went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs on Friday, joining the other Mets in the lineup, who have all hit in the month of June.
“I’m feeling good at the plate,” McNeil told the media. “I’m feeling like myself again.”
Feeling good is a massive positive for the Mets heading toward the All-Star break. McNeil has been the one weak spot in the Mets lineup and has even been benched in favor of new fan favorite Jose Iglesias. Still, McNeil displayed his offensive capabilities on Friday and gave fans a taste of the potential of this Mets’ lineup when he is right.
McNeil hit a single in the bottom of the second but was caught stealing second later in the inning.
His second hit of the evening was his biggest when he connected with a pitch and sent the ball deep over the right field fence for a three-run home that scored two other Mets to extend the lead over Houston to 6-2. It was his first home run at Citi Field this season.
He rounded out his night with a third single in the eighth. He later scored on a double by Francisco Lindor for his second run scored on the night that made it a 7-2 Mets lead.
Prior to Friday night, McNeil had just 28 runs scored and 16 RBIs on the season. He increased that Friday to 30 runs scored and 19 RBIs.
OMG! JEFF MCNEIL GIVES THE METS A 6-2 LEAD!
(via @AppleTV) pic.twitter.com/gcnXfAZwJD
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 29, 2024
With his 3-for-4 performance on Friday, McNeil now has 61 career 3+ hit games, tying Keith Hernandez for the ninth spot on the list of players with 3+ hit games in the Mets’ franchise history.
McNeil is now batting .221/.283/.312, with a .595 OPS on the season. He has a total of 11 doubles, four home runs, 19 RBIs, and 30 runs scored.
McNeil needed a break-through, slump-ending performance and he found that on Friday. Heading into Friday night’s game, McNeil was the only starting Met with an OPS+ under 100 (league average). If McNeil can turn things around, the Mets lineup moving forward would be complete.
Things might not straighten out, but Friday was a flash from the past from McNeil. The former 2022 National League Batting Champ has hit in the past, and if he can find his groove heading toward the later half of the season, the Mets would truly have a lineup with no holes heading into the thick of a wild card race.
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