Mets’ offense erupts again to scorch Rangers with season-high 22 hits for sixth straight win
ARLINGTON, Texas — During a team meeting two weeks ago when the Mets were at their nadir, players discussed how they could stay loose during the game and have fun.
From that meeting was born a gesture the Mets have since been using on the bases.
It could best be described as a player extending one arm while sweeping underneath it with the other hand.
The Mets are keeping the meaning a secret, but the gesture was plenty on display Monday night in a 14-2 victory over the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
The Mets matched their season-high winning streak with a sixth straight victory.
“It’s just for the boys and to have fun, because we know other teams have stuff,” Brandon Nimmo said of the gesture. “We knew we needed to come up with something.”
Told the gesture resembled a cleansing of the air, Nimmo laughed.
“That’s perfect — I love that,” Nimmo said. “Cleansing the air. Go with that.”
Whatever the case, there is a new air about the Mets.
On this night they amassed 22 hits (their highest total in five years) and reached double digits in scoring for a second straight game.
It’s not just J.D. Martinez.
Now it’s Francisco Lindor, Nimmo and Pete Alonso down the line.
The Mets got contributions from just about all in winning for the 10th time in 12 games.
Monday’s outburst followed an impressive breakout against the Padres on Sunday in which the Mets scored seven runs early and added four late in completing a three-game sweep.
Over their last 16 games, the Mets have outscored opponents 100-69.
Lindor led this latest attack by going 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Nimmo went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs and Alonso was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
“It’s been [Martinez] the past few days, but I like what I have been seeing from some of the other guys,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We knew with this offense we were capable of putting together some games, obviously today was a special one, but one through nine there’s some real good hitters.”
David Peterson (3-0) was handed a seven-run lead in the second inning and gave the Mets a solid pitching performance.
The left-hander lasted six innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
Alonso delivered the Mets’ third single in the first inning to bring in the game’s first run. Lindor and Martinez singled ahead of him.
The Mets sent nine batters to the plate against Jon Gray in the second inning and scored six runs to seize control with a 7-0 lead (a rare touchdown advantage for a New York team in Arlington).
DJ Stewart’s three-run homer was the inning’s loudest hit, but Nimmo and Alonso each stroked an RBI single in an inning the Mets delivered six hits.
Stewart’s blast was a welcomed contribution — he entered the night in a 1-for-27 skid. The lefty slugger hadn’t homered since April 30.
Peterson walked Marcus Semien in the third and allowed a two-run homer to Robbie Grossman that pulled the Rangers within 7-2.
The homer was only the second allowed by Peterson in his four starts this season.
Nimmo got the Mets’ lead back to a touchdown with a two-run homer in the fourth.
For the previously slumping Nimmo it was a fourth straight game with multiple hits.
Lindor smashed an RBI double in the fifth that extended the Mets’ lead to 10-2.
Francisco Alvarez singled in the inning and Jeff McNeil walked before Lindor delivered.
Nimmo followed with a single that gave him his fourth RBI of the game.
In the sixth Alvarez stroked an RBI single that widened the gulf to 12-2.
Stewart and Mark Vientos each singled to start the rally. Tyrone Taylor was the only member of the Mets’ starting lineup without a hit.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Mendoza began subbing for his starters in the seventh inning: Lindor, Nimmo and Martinez all left the game and Jose Iglesias, Harrison Bader and Luis Torrens were inserted into the lineup.
Alvarez’s third hit of the game, an RBI single in the eighth, gave the Mets a 13-2 lead.
The Mets scored their final run on McNeil’s RBI fielder’s choice.
