Francisco Lindor Makes History As Mets Extend Win Streak
Francisco Lindor dealt with quite a bit of criticism for the New York Mets’ poor start to the season, but that has not stopped the 29-year-old was producing as of late. He had one of his best games as a member of the organization in Thursday’s 9-0 win, going 5-for-5 with a home run, two triples, and two singles. Lindor’s individual performance helped the Mets earn a sweep over an Arizona Diamondbacks team that has the second-best record in the National League.
The shortstop may have been a double short of the cycle, but all of his focus was on the win and helping the team continue to the recent surge. “We’re going to make something out of [this season],” Lindor said afterward. “The question becomes how deep we’re going to go.”
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Lindor got it started with a triple down the right field line in the top of the first, coming around to score on a two-run home run from Pete Alonso. Two innings later, he did it again, hitting his second triple of the night, this was to the left-center gap. Alonso brought Lindor home on an RBI single, and just like that, the Mets were up 3-0.
The four-time All-Star had a single in the fourth and a solo home run in the sixth to make it 9-0 in favor of the Mets. Lindor singled to right field in his final at-bat of the night, capping off a remarkable performance for himself. His last 13 games show what he is capable of, slashing .327/.393/.674 with four home runs and six runs batted in. Lindor has been a linchpin in the Mets’ recent surge, and without him, who knows where this team would be right now.
Lindor became the first shortstop in MLB history (and only seventh player overall) to have a five-hit game that included two triples and at least one home run. Lindor leads MLB shortstops with 18 home runs, 54 runs, and 57 RBIs, and leads NL shortstops with his 3.0 fWAR.
His status was in question for Wednesday’s game in Arizona due to an illness, but he went out there and played despite not being at full health. Lindor may not have the overall numbers he would like, but he is someone the Mets organization can rely upon to show up, each and every day. Barring an injury replacement, Lindor will not be heading to the 2023 MLB All-Star game. Sure, Lindor won’t be heading to Seattle next week, but he is playing like an All-Star at the moment.
The Mets have won five consecutive games in the last week, pulling them within 6.5 games of the third Wild Card spot in the National League. If Lindor and the rest of the group are able to keep it up, a series victory in San Diego this weekend could be attainable. The Mets open up a three-game series with the Padres on Friday, as they send Justin Verlander to the mound to face off against Yu Darvish.
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