Forget about it just being one of the biggest home run’s of Francisco Lindor’s life.
Forget about it being one of the biggest home runs for the Mets this season.
No, Lindor’s ninth-inning, go-ahead home run to clinch a postseason spot was one of the biggest home runs in Mets history.
That’s MVP stuff.
After the Braves scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning in what seemed to be a back-breaking and potentially season-breaking inning for the Mets, of course it was Lindor who played hero.
After Starling Marte singled to left with one out, it was Lindor’s moment to shine against right-hander Pierce Johnson, and with one majestic swing, the MVP candidate had the Mets back on top, where they would stay for good in a stunning, rollercoaster 8-7 victory in Atlanta.
“I wanted to get a good pitch to hit and do exactly what Marte did, pass the baton,” Lindor told SNY’s Steve Gelbs afterward. “My guy [Jose] Iglesias has been probably the best clutch hitter in the game this year, so I wasn’t trying to do too much. I was just trying to get Iglesias to drive in another run, and it worked out and I hit it up in the air. I was prepared and I was ready for the moment, and the moment came and I was able to capitalize.”
Lindor was clearly emotional after the game, and how could he not be? After a back injury forced him out of action, something that never seems to happen for the shortstop, he was able to return to action, playing the most demanding position in the game and delivering in a huge spot to clinch a postseason berth.
“It’s been an uphill fight,” Lindor said. “At one moment, I felt like we were putting ourselves in a big hole, then I felt like we kept on climbing little by little out of that hole. Then rain came and it seemed like we didn’t want to play this game. There’s been a lot of steps in the way, but I guess that’s part of the journey. We just have to stay the course, keep climbing and see what happens.”
So now the Mets head into Game 162 already knowing that they have a postseason spot secured. If they lose Game 2, they’ll face the Brewers in Milwaukee. If they win, it will be the Padres in San Diego for the best-of-three Wild Card Series.
The Mets still have plenty that they want to accomplish this year.
But Lindor’s 33rd home run of the season is one that he – and Mets fans – will never forget.
“It feels like we took one step closer to where we want to be. That’s exactly how it feels,” Lindor said. “We’re on a mission, and we understand what the goal is, but to get to where we want to be, we have to do stuff like this.
“Man, it was a fun game.”