The Mets managed to keep a solid vibe going Wednesday night.
Even with some early chances and a concerning moment when Juan Soto fouled a ball on his right foot, forcing him to exit the game, the Mets found a way to capitalize when it mattered. They claimed a 3-2 victory in extra innings against the Tigers at Citi Field.
The young players, in particular, kept the momentum alive when Carson Benge hit a single to center field, bringing in AJ Ewing for the decisive run. His teammates welcomed him at home plate, showering him with sports drinks.
“This felt amazing,” the 23-year-old said post-game. “Honestly, I can’t really put it into words. It was my first time.”
Benge stepped up after the Mets had scored ten runs on 13 hits the previous night but had struggled early in the game, leaving nine runners stranded in scoring position despite getting eight hits.
“I’m trying not to let this moment overwhelm me,” he mentioned about facing the high-pressure scenario. “I just aimed to hit the ball hard and focus on my at-bat. That’s really what I was thinking.”
For Benge, it was a chance for redemption after he had made a couple of mistakes earlier in the game.
There was a tense moment when the Tigers seemed poised to take the lead after a successful double steal attempt at home, following Bo Bichette’s hit that tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning.
“I was close to releasing, but it hadn’t moved enough yet,” Benge reflected. “Next time, I’ll know better.”
The game started rough for the Mets when starter Christian Scott let a line drive slip past him, which turned into a double for Dillon Dingler, advancing Kevin McGonigle to third. Riley Green then singled, giving the Tigers an early 2-0 advantage.
“It’s not an everyday play, but Coach Carlos Mendoza praised Benge’s ability to bounce back. “You don’t normally run a double steal in that situation. The way he stayed focused on the game, moving to the next play and pitch, shows great resilience,” he noted.
“Baseball is unpredictable,” Benge added. “Even the best have tough moments. Keeping your focus on the next play really helps.”
Benge’s standout moment followed a solid performance from the Mets’ pitching staff. Huascar Brazoban pitched 2⅓ innings in relief, retiring all eight batters he faced and earning two strikeouts.
The bullpen, with contributions from Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, continued their strong showing, leading to Brooks Lally closing out the Tigers despite allowing a runner.
“What Brazoban did was impressive. He was aggressive and gave us a shot to keep the game close,” Mendoza commented. “His performance was key in allowing the backend of the bullpen to take over.”
The Mets have won six of their last ten matchups and are looking to sweep the Tigers Thursday before facing the Yankees this weekend. Benge feels things are starting to align in Queens.
“I think we’re slowly starting to piece everything together, game by game,” he expressed. “I really believe it’s just a matter of time before everything falls into place.”
