Mets' Mark Vientos flaunts power for second straight game: 'I'm just focused on winning'

Yahoo

21 hours ago

Mark Vientos hasn't lived up to his potential as a key lineup fixture this season, but his daily approach to game preparation is helping him produce on the field when the Mets' roulette wheel of platoon players lands on his number.
Just hours after manager Carlos Mendoza expressed a need for contributions from Vientos as the NL playoff race intensifies, the slugging infielder answered the call, delivering a welcome two-run home run in the Mets' 8-1 beatdown of the Nationals on Tuesday night at Nationals Park. He finished the night 1-for-4 with a walk.
Vientos, who produced a four-RBI effort in Sunday's win over the Mariners, demolished a hanging two-strike curveball from Nationals starter Jake Irvin in what became a five-run third inning. The ball traveled 419 feet into the left field seats with a 35-degree launch angle, and it was his second straight game with a homer.
"I was just trying to capitalize on the situation," Vientos said after the win. "We were hitting well on [Irvin] that inning and I was staying ready for a pitch in the zone. Luckily, I was ready and put a good swing on it... [I stay ready] with practice, honestly. Showing up every day like I'm starting and going about my business like I'm playing that day. Working hard, talking to my coaches, staying ready..."
While his role remains fluid -- he batted sixth as the designated hitter on Tuesday and played third base as the eighth hitter on Sunday -- Vientos' mentality as a regular starter is paying off. He's constantly in communication with Mendoza, who fully endorses the be-ready attitude that can only do good.
"I know it's there. We saw it last year," Mendoza said of Vientos' mettle. "He's a really good player, and it's been hard for him. I said it before the game, we're going to need him. He stepped up again today. He'll continue to get opportunities... For him to continue to put together some really good at-bats, I thought he hit the ball hard a few times today."
Call it a regular season to forget for Vientos, who's slashed an underwhelming .232/.278/.381 with only 23 extra-base hits across 85 games. But the ending to his 2025 story isn't required to match the beginning, and the team-first mindset that he's embraced only makes the latest personal success sweeter.
"I'm just focusing on winning," Vientos said. "I just want to win and whenever I get my opportunity, to help in whatever way. As long as we're winning, I'm happy."