Bader’s Two-Hit Game Fuels Mets Victory
Although his name was not in the starting lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Mets outfielder Harrison Bader still found a way to make a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
His first at-bat came in a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning with runners on first and second with two outs. When the count reached one ball and two strikes, Bader lined a hit up the middle that scored a run to tie the game at three apiece. This single traveled 102.7 mph, hard enough to travel to the outfield despite hitting the pitcher Jeff Hoffman on the way there.
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“Stay short, try to put the ball hard in play,” Bader told SNY after the game when asked about his approach during that at-bat.
Bader’s next impactful moment came in the 11th inning with a one-run lead and a runner on first with no outs. He proceeded to rip a 101.7 mph double down the left field line, allowing J.D. Martinez to advance to third. Although the team only scored one more run after this, Bader put them in a position to do a lot of damage.
The two-run lead proved to be enough to lock down the victory, as Jake Diekman limited the Phillies to just one run in the bottom half of the inning.
This victory allowed the Mets to avoid a dreaded four-game series sweep. Bader also discussed how the team might benefit from this win going forward.
“We knew what’s behind us,” Bader said. “What’s more important is paving the way for what’s in front of us.”
Bader recently made headlines after inferring that he was disgruntled with his role on the team. However, his comments after Thursday’s game indicate that he maintains a team-first approach when it comes to his preparation for the games.
“Whether you start, or whether you come off the bench, just finding ways to impact and help your team in a positive way,” Bader said.
While Bader’s hitting has not exactly been great to begin the season, his exceptional fielding metrics should keep him in the lineup moving forward. Up to this point, he has recorded four Outs Above Average and three Defensive Runs Saved in addition to his 91st percentile arm strength. The Mets have recently stressed having strong defense up the middle, and Bader certainly fits into that vision.
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