“With standout shortstop Francisco Lindor out due to ongoing back issues,”
Jose Iglesias delivered a game-tying infield single in the bottom of the eighth inning before Starling Marte’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th propelled the New York Mets to a massive 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
Following the victory, Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea praised Iglesias for what the infielder has brought the club throughout a roller-coaster ride of a season.
“Clubhouse vibes, since he came in and showed us ‘OMG,’ have been fantastic,” Manaea said while referencing the hit song released by Iglesias earlier in the season that’s become a Mets anthem, as shared by Ben Krimmel of SNY. “What he’s done on the field – defensively playing any position and the wizardry that I know he’s been capable of doing and then just the clutch hitting. I’d say he’s instrumental in this team… he’s been doing some unbelievable things.”
Lindor, designated hitter J.D. Martinez and others within the Mets have repeatedly discussed how the “vibes” in the clubhouse helped spark the team’s summer resurgence and later prevented players from losing confidence amid an August swoon.
The Amazins more recently suffered brutal back-to-back losses to the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend that featured the bullpen twice blowing leads, and New York largely appeared lifeless for much of Monday’s contest with its emotional leader and best offensive player dealing with a setback that could keep him out of action for several more days.
“He’s a huge part of our team,” Iglesias said of Lindor following Monday’s win, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. “On and off (the field). He told me to step up, and I do every single night the best I can for this great team that we have. I miss him over there, for sure. But he will be back soon.”
The 82-68 Mets enter Tuesday’s MLB action holding a one-game lead over the rival Atlanta Braves in the battle for the National League’s final wild-card playoff spot. New York also trails the Arizona Diamondbacks (83-67) by one game for the NL’s second wild-card berth.
“We got good players,” first-year Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said about individuals such as Iglesias stepping up as Lindor recovers, “and they continue to find a way.”
Mendoza needs key contributors such as All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, who may be playing in his final homestand as a member of the Mets, to get hot to ensure the “vibes” that carried the team back into the postseason race don’t disappear before Lindor can return to the lineup. The Mets host the Nationals (68-82) again on Tuesday night and then on Wednesday evening.
