Carlos Mendoza needed a shower after the Mets’ 2-1 walk-off win over the Tigers in the second game of a doubleheader Thursday night at Citi Field.
He was doused with all kinds of liquid by the players, and for good reason.
It took one week and six games, but he finally got his first win as a manager.
“Beer, champagne, eggs, everything,” Mendoza said after the game. “…It’s a special feeling. Obviously, the boys were excited. I know how hard they worked, so it means we’re going to get a lot out of it. Obviously. It wasn’t the homestand we were hoping for, but a lot of baseball was left here. We have to take it one game at a time. We’ll start working here right away.”
The Mets started Mendoza’s debut season 0-5, including a 6-3 overtime loss in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday.
They suffered their sixth loss and appeared to be on track to end the homestand opener without a win, but trailed 1-0 starting in the bottom of the ninth inning.
However, Pete Alonso hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.
Brett Batty then walked and Starling Marte advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt.
Tyron Taylor then emerged as the Mets’ much-needed hero of the season, hitting a walk-off single to give the Mets their first win as manager.
Alonso said that as well as spraying Mendoza, the team drank champagne to celebrate.
“I am very happy [Mendoza]” said Alonso. “It was really nice to get that first one out of the way. I hope he can carry this momentum into Cincinnati. He’s spent a lot of time in professional baseball and was able to get his first win. It was very big.”
Three outs away from a demoralizing day and two more losses that would raise big questions, the Monkeys finally got off Mendoza’s back.
It certainly took plenty of time.
And it happened in a remarkable way.
“Obviously, I’m glad I finally got the first one,” Mendoza said. “I wish we had gotten it sooner, but that’s baseball. We almost got wiped out there in a doubleheader, but it didn’t look like we were going to get very far offensively. [then] In the final inning, Pete homered, walked, and Taylor. It obviously feels good to get the first one out of the way. Please continue for now, if you can. ”
