Mets Notes: Jesse Winker provides boost, Francisco Lindor takes pride in resilient culture

The damp and chilly conditions at Citi Field on Saturday night were anything but appealing to the Mets. For nearly seven innings, their lineup struggled to generate much offense against Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt, and overcoming a 2-0 deficit entering the eighth inning seemed like too tall of an order.

But the loyal fans who braved the raw weather were ultimately rewarded. With a pair of late-inning rallies, the Mets snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, outlasting the Blue Jays in walk-off fashion, 3-2, for a third straight win.

Jesse and his Rippers

New York's comeback bid began in the eighth, when a leadoff walk from Francisco Lindor and one-out single Juan Soto ultimately set up runners on the corners for Jesse Winker with two outs. While the lefty-on-lefty matchup between Winker and reliever Brendon Little was met with some skepticism, the veteran outfielder removed all doubts by delivering a clutch game-tying triple off the right field wall. It was also Winker's second triple of the game and team-best third hit.

"[The fans] were loud all night. The countdown with the pitch clock is amazing," Winker said after the game. "We're going to need them all year. It's 40 degrees, it's raining, and they stuck with us all game. It was amazing... Just grateful to wear a jersey. I always tell people, there's two things I want to do, it's be my daughter's father and play baseball."

After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza explained that he didn't call a pinch-hitter for Winker because of his prior two at-bats that resulted in hits. He also noted how the Mets' lefties were seeing Little well. It was a gut decision that paid off.

Attitude reflecting leadership

With the game tied at 2-2, the drama shifted to the ninth inning, and Mets closer Edwin Diaz created tension by working in and out of trouble against the heart of the Blue Jays' order. Francisco Lindor then played the role of hero, smacking a sac fly to center that allowed Jose Siri to score following his walk, a wild pitch, and a Luis Torrens single.

The Mets took pride in their resiliency as a group in 2024, and the tried and true never-quit mentality sparked their midseason turnaround and deep postseason run. Even on a cold April night, tenacity prevailed because Lindor believes it's the recipe for success.

"It's part of the culture. Everybody that comes to play for the Mets has to understand that we're going to grind," Lindor told Steve Gelbs on the field after the walk-off celebration. "We're going to compete, we're going to give everything we've got, day in and day out. And at the end of the day, it's all about winning."

The walk-off sac fly wasn't the only sign of Lindor potentially finding his old groove at the plate. He smoked a first-inning double off Bassitt for his second two-bagger of the series, extending his on-base streak to four games. In spite of the early struggles, the confidence that Mendoza has in the superstar shortstop is unwavering.

"He's an elite player and he knows it. The moment is never too big for him," Mendoza said of Lindor. "He's got the ability to slow the game down and not do too much. But he's ready for his pitches. He got that one right there, just thinking middle of the field and put the ball in play. That's what makes him an elite player."

Brief first home start for Canning

In his second start of the season, Griffin Canning didn't factor into the decision. The 28-year-old right-hander lasted only four innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out six (89 pitches). A step back from his season debut in Houston last weekend, but Citi Field doesn't boast a retractable roof or perfect weather conditions like Daikin Park does.

Canning immediately ran into trouble in the fifth, allowing back-to-back singles that knocked him out of the game. The rally only plated one -- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled off of Jose Butto to bring in Bo Bichette -- and the Mets' bullpen went on to record five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts. Huascar Brazobán thrived once again in relief, completing 2.1 innings and maintaining his spotless 0.00 ERA.

"Obviously I've got to figure out a way to get deeper into the game there. I kind of left the bullpen out to dry there," Canning said of his outing. "But they picked me up big time and just a really good team win. I feel good about [the new pitch mix]. I think I learned some stuff about it... Just need to attack the zone a little bit more and limit some of those walks and long ABs."