Citi Field—In a thrilling match on Sunday, the New York Mets secured a comeback victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, with Mark Vientos sealing the win with a two-run homer in the 11th inning. It was only Vientos’ second day in the majors this season, but his memorable shot prevented a three-game sweep by the Cardinals. His shot gave the Mets a 4-2 comeback victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
Reflecting on his game-changing hit, Vientos expressed a sense of déjà vu, describing the moment as one he had envisioned countless times. Despite the Mets struggling with runners in scoring position throughout the game, Harrison Bader’s clutch single in the 11th inning tied the score, setting the stage for Vientos’ heroics.
“I was sitting for that one pitch the whole at-bat,” he said. “I finally got it and I put a good swing on it.”
Driving a pitch from Matthew Liberatore just beyond the reach of center-fielder Michael Siani, Vientos erupted with emotion as he rounded the bases, greeted by ecstatic teammates at home plate. This walk-off RBI marked a significant milestone for Vientos, who made his Mets debut in 2022.
After a surprise demotion to the minors at the end of spring training, Vientos was recalled to the majors when outfielder Starling Marte went on the bereavement list. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Vientos’ readiness and hinted at his inclusion in the starting lineup for the next game.
The game also showcased stellar performances from other players, including Brendan Donovan, whose defensive prowess and go-ahead single in the 11th inning contributed to the Cardinals’ strong showing.
Despite the Cardinals’ efforts, the Mets’ resilience led them to victory, with Reed Garrett earning the win after pitching two innings of stellar relief. Francisco Lindor’s tying homer in the sixth inning and Jose Quintana’s masterful pitching performance were also instrumental in the Mets’ success.
Reed Garrett (5-0) pitched two innings to secure the win, conceding only an unearned run. With this achievement, he joined Jesse Orosco, who accomplished the feat in August 1983, as the only Mets relievers to win five games in a single month.
As both teams look ahead, the Cardinals aim to build on their positives from the series, while the Mets continue to navigate their season with key players returning from injury and making impactful contributions.
UP NEXT:
Cardinals: LHP Steven Matz (1-2, 5.55 ERA) starts Monday night in Detroit against RHP Kenta Maeda (0-1, 5.96). Matz is 7-0 with a 1.78 ERA versus AL Central opponents. The Cardinals have faced the Tigers in three World Series (1934, 1968, 2006), winning twice.
Mets: RHP Luis Severino (2-2, 2.67 ERA) faces Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.69) in the opener of a four-game series Monday night at Citi Field.
