“MVP! MVP! MVP!”
The chant was heard frequently throughout Tuesday night at Citi Field — and for good reason. Francisco Lindor‘s NL MVP candidacy grows by the day and he added to his case in the Mets‘ series-clinching 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
In the bottom of the third inning, the shortstop launched a two-run homer to right field — his 30th of the season — and he wasn’t done there.
With his club in dire need of insurance runs, the switch hitter lined an RBI double to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning to extend their lead to 4-2. The veteran later scored on Pete Alonso’s two-run homer — his 31st of the season — to put the game to bed.
Lindor was 2-for-4 on the night, putting his season slash line at 273./.343/.500.
The 30-year-old is nearing his career-high in homers as a Met — 31 in 2022 — and continues to shape his best season in Flushing. His homer on Tuesday marked the fifth season in which he’s hit 30 homers in his career, joining Alex Rodriguez (7) and Ernie Banks (5) for the most all-time as a primary shortstop.
Runs were tough to come by early in the game and while Lindor’s continued brilliance takes the spotlight, David Peterson had a career night of his own. The southpaw tossed six innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out a career-high 11 batters.
The 29-year-old lowered his season ERA to 2.75 in 18 starts this season. Should the Mets take over a Wild Card spot, Peterson is making a strong case to start games in October.
Mark Vientos added on in the bottom of the seventh as the 24-year-old launched his 22nd homer of the season — a solo shot — to extend the lead to 3-1. The third baseman continues his breakout season, jumping his OPS to .884.
Jose Butto relieved Peterson in the top of the seventh. The right-hander tossed a scoreless frame, however, he walked the first two batters to start the eighth and was removed in favor of Reed Garrett. Garrett allowed Rafael Devers to reach on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with nobody out.
Emmanuel Valdez drove in Jarren Duran with a sacrifice fly before Masataka Yoshida rolled into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat and keep the Mets in front, 3-2, leading to their eighth-inning explosion. With the Amazins’ breaking the game open in the eighth, Ryne Stanek was called upon to grab final three outs and close the door in their 7-2 victory.
Carlos Mendoza will turn the ball over to Tylor Megill (4.82 ERA) on Wednesday night to complete the sweep. Tanner Houck (3.12 ERA) will take the mound for Alex Cora to try and salvage the series.
