Francisco Lindor: Mets have ‘sense of urgency’ amid winning streak

After a four-run outburst in the second inning – aided by a costly Colorado error on an inning-ending double play ball – the Mets wasted chance after chance to increase a 4-3 lead over the Rockies on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.

Through the first seven innings of the game, New York left seven runners on base and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position (Jeff McNeil‘s two-run double on the second lone hit). And with two on and two out in the eighth, Francisco Lindor got another opportunity to run, something he recalled he was unable to do in his previous at-bat.

“Two innings earlier, I had the same opportunity and I didn’t get it,” he said of his weak grounder to the pitcher in the sixth with Luis Torrens in the third. “I talked to [Mark] Winds and Vientos told me, ‘Hey, look, you have to go fast.’”

Lindor – who later added that he was “just trying to glean a little nugget of knowledge from everyone” – sped away at 150 km/h Jalen Beeks fastball 420 feet to center field for a cushioning three-run home run.

After Dedniel Nuñez closed the ninth and a scoreless day of 4.2 innings in the bullpenNew York had a five-game winning streak and a 1.0 game lead for the third and final NL wild card spot.

“It feels good,” Lindor said of the winning streak. “It seems like they have a sense of urgency and we all have a sense of urgency. We are back on a good run and we have to hold on as long as we can and try to finish the first half as strong as we can.”

From the conversation with Vientos to the work of José Butto and Nunez in the bullpen, the shortstop called it an overall team win.

“They make every pitch. They came out with purpose and intention and they did it right,” Lindor said of the bullpen duo. “They kept us in the game even though we had the lead, but they helped us continue [it]. That’s what good teams do.”

Of course, he also highlighted that he only had a chance in the eighth because Ben Gamel drew a walk and Torrens was hit by a pitch.

“Yes, I came in today and had great success, but at the end of the day, everyone contributes,” Lindor said.

With one game remaining in the first half, Lindor has 17 home runs and 51 RBI — plus 26 doubles and 18 steals — and a .250/.324/.453 slash line and a .777 OPS. And still, he will spend the All-Star break outside watching the festivities.

When asked why it seems like Lindor doesn’t get the praise or recognition his play on the field deserves, coach Carlos Mendoza said, “That’s a good question because I keep asking myself the same thing.”

“I don’t think people appreciate or recognize what he brings to the game of baseball, to the baseball field, what he means to this team,” Mendoza continued. “Great player and has been doing this for a long time, but just the joy, the passion, the affection, the desire to continue improving. He never stops. He is always looking for ways to improve.

“And this is a special player, he is a special person and I am very happy to have the opportunity to watch him play.”

But the disrespect doesn’t add fuel to Lindor’s fire, as he doesn’t need “more motivation”.

“For me, motivation is something you try to find when you don’t really want to do things,” he said. “I have the discipline to go there day after day, do what I have to do. Stay focused on my daily work.

“And if people want to recognize me, great. If they don’t want to recognize me, that’s what it is. As long as I win games and do my job to help this franchise be the best franchise in the world. I’m happy with that.”