Lindor Shines from Both Sides of the Plate as Mets Defeat Rockies 4–2

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Lindor delivered a standout performance at Coors Field, homering from both sides of the plate and making a critical defensive play that helped lift the New York Mets to a 4–2 win over the Colorado Rockies. The victory marks the Mets’ fifth in their last six games and continues a frustrating season for the Rockies, who fell to a league-worst 9–48 record. Lindor began the night with a right-handed leadoff home run off Rockies starter Kyle Freeland in the first inning, his 25th career leadoff homer and fifth of the season. In the bottom of the third, with the bases loaded and the Mets clinging to a 1–0 lead, Lindor made a leaping catch to rob Thairo Estrada of a likely extra-base hit and preserve the lead (Elias Sports Bureau). He later homered again, this time from the left side in the eighth inning, marking his 21st career multi-home run game and the seventh time he has homered from both sides in a single game. Juan Soto, who had been in an 0-for-17 slump, contributed with a two-out RBI double in the third, scoring Lindor from first base. Starling Marte also homered off Freeland, who remains winless in 15 starts since last September. Freeland dropped to 0–8 on the season and has received just 16 runs of support in 12 starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only one other pitcher—Giants veteran Justin Verlander—has made at least 10 starts this year without recording a win. On the mound, David Peterson improved to 4–2 after allowing just one run before handing the ball to Huascar Brazobán. Brazobán preserved a 3–1 lead by retiring pinch-hitter Mickey Moniak with runners on second and third in the sixth inning.

Sam Hilliard, in his first major league plate appearance of the season, cut the deficit to 3–2 with a pinch-hit home run off Brazobán in the seventh. But Reed Garrett and Edwin Díaz slammed the door in the final two innings, with Díaz striking out the side in the ninth for his 12th save. Remarkably, Díaz has not allowed a hit since May 5. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced after the game that right-hander Paul Blackburn, sidelined with right knee inflammation, is expected to return from the injured list to start during the team’s upcoming four-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Mets look to continue their winning momentum Saturday, sending Kodai Senga (5–3, 1.46 ERA) to the mound against Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela (1–9, 6.50 ERA), who leads the majors in losses.