PITTSBURGH — Jose Iglesias has faced off against Aroldis Chapman since his days on opposing teams in Cuba nearly 20 years ago, so the Mets infielder was in the right position in the top of the ninth inning Sunday.
Pirates closer Chapman had struck out the previous two batters with runners on base to tie the game and give the team the lead.
Now it was up to Iglesias to keep the Mets game alive.
Iglesias fought through an eight-pitch at-bat, drawing a walk, the fourth of which was a 102 mph fastball to load the bases.
Francisco Lindor then hit a two-run single to give the Mets a 3-2 victory at PNC Park.
Iglesias’ importance at the plate was understood by his Mets teammates.
“[Iglesias] “He’s a brave guy,” Lindor said. “He’s screaming and Chapman is staring at him. They’re definitely … growing up. There aren’t many guys that would do something like that to Chapman, especially at 5 years old.[foot-]”He’s 8 years old and he’s 6-foot-5. It was amazing. I was excited. I think I jumped too, like, ‘It’s my turn.’ It was a great event.”
In the Mets’ latest celebration tactic, Iglesias’ new song “OMG” blared throughout the clubhouse after the win.
Iglesias downplayed the altercation with Chapman but was pleased to have played a part in the hard-fought comeback.
“That at-bat could have gone either way,” Iglesias said. “He’s a great pitcher and he put Frankie in a good position to bat and he got a hit.”
Iglesias was asked what he said to Chapman.
“It was like, ‘Let’s have a competition,'” Iglesias said. “He’s a gamer … and it was a battle.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Harrison Bader is on a “day-to-day” schedule recovering after colliding with the outfield fence on Tuesday at Washington.
Bader returned to the starting lineup on Friday after missing two games and played in two straight games, but was benched for Sunday’s game.
Brandon Nimmo played center, Jeff McNeil in left field, and DJ Stewart in right field.
Bader, who entered as a defensive replacement and singled off Chapman in the Mets’ comeback effort in the bottom of the ninth, has been battling neck pain since the collision.
“He’s continuing his treatment and he wanted to play today,” Mendoza said. “I think we have to be careful and make sure this doesn’t become a long-term injury.”
