The Mets front office has not noticed a boost to average attendance at Citifield last season.
In the first 10 home games that entered Monday, the Mets averaged 36,705 fans and ranked seventh in MLB.
Last season, the Mets finished 17th in attendance at home, averaging 29,484.
“Our fans are generally outstanding this year,” baseball business president David Stearns said before the Mets beat the Phillies 5-4 in front of a 35,430 announced crowd. “It was fun coming to the stadium.”
Stearns said he received a preview of tickets sold in front of the home stand and made a “double take” especially with some numbers presented in April.
“Not only was the numbers good on paper, it was exciting to feel that way at the ballpark,” Stearns said. “Our players talked about it. I think we all feel that when we’re here.”
Mark Vientos began the night on the bench – his second straight start missed – but Carlos Mendoza said he could use the third baseman with his pinch-hit ability.
Vientos, who left early from Saturday’s game with a discomfort in the gro caliber section, said he went well before the game and felt better but didn’t play.
Stearns gave Pete Alonso a high rating when asked about his first baseman’s passionate start.
Alonso, who returned to the Mets in January, returned to the Mets on a two-year deal worth $54 million following long negotiations and entered the day with a 1.171 OPS.
“What Pete is doing is just as good a start as you can imagine any person,” Stearns said. “This is pretty impressive. He’s trapped. His zone control is incredible right now. He’s hitting everything hard. I’m very impressed.”
Paul Blackburn is scheduled to pitch 50 pitches on Wednesday for Double A Binghamton in the minor league rehabilitation start.
Right-handed people rehabilitating from inflammation in their right knee expect to accumulate up to 65 pitches in subsequent appearances before considering returning from the injured list.
