Mets Shortstop Support Amid Struggles
Jose Reyes shared a supportive message for Francisco Lindor, who faced a tough moment during the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday. Lindor had a rough day, forgetting how many outs there were in the first inning. Although he was taken out at first late in the game, he ended up 0-for-4, bringing his batting average down to .143 over the last six games.
Reyes posted on social media on Thursday, urging fans to stay calm. He said, “Everyone relax…my man Francisco Lindor will get better.” He acknowledged that bad days are part of baseball, emphasizing, “He’s a human being like the rest of us. See how he reacts…This is going to be good for him and good for the organization.”
Lindor seemed a bit frustrated after his concerning performance, contributing to the team’s recent 1-3 record against non-playoff contenders from last season.
In the first inning, with no score and one out, Lindor hit a ground ball to shortstop. He mistakenly ran toward the dugout instead of second base, thinking it was the third out. This confusion was costly, as his mistake allowed Freddy Peralta to strike out Machine Winn without further damage.
Commentators noticed Lindor’s oversight, with SNY’s Gary Cohen noting, “Lindor thought it was the third out, so he didn’t try to hit into a double play.” Analyst Todd Zeile added, “This was unusual for Lindor. He usually knows what’s going on out there.”
Lindor took full responsibility for his actions, stating, “I forgot about the out…it’s inexcusable.” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that such errors can’t happen.
As the game progressed, Lindor’s issues continued. He reached base after an error from the Cardinals’ pitcher Matthew Liberatore, who later attempted to steal a base but was caught off guard during a quick throw.
Mendoza reflected on the previous play, saying, “They caught us with a quick step-off move. I don’t think it was a mental mistake.” The overall atmosphere remained tense, especially as the Cardinals scored the first run with a solo homer from Juan Soto shortly after.
Despite the loss, fans showed support for Lindor. However, as a key player, he shouldn’t be making mistakes of this nature. The Mets’ start to the season, sitting at 3-3, hasn’t been particularly impressive, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Reyes, who has a significant history with the Mets, having played there for over a decade, understands the pressures that come with being a shortstop for this team. He holds records for games played and hits, along with having the most stolen bases in franchise history.
