FLUSHING, NY — There were three game-defining plays in Monday night’s 2-1 Mets win over the Padres and all three were made in the first two innings.
Oh, and by two Mets rookies.
First, 23-year-old right fielder Carson Benge, firing back-to-back missiles as San Diego opened the top of the first inning all over Nolan McLean, another Mets rookie.
Though before Benge, firing his own missile on an exit velocity of 90-MPH was Fernando Tatis Jr., who led off the game smacking a line drive right back to where it came from—in McLean’s glove for an out.
Monday night’s series finale in Queens started off with Fernando Tatis Jr. firing a laser right back to the glove of Mets’ right-handed rookie starter Nolan McLean – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
From there, not letting up one bit, San Diego proceeded on back to back singles off the bats of Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado.
A great scenario for the Padres, runners on first and second with one down and 11 pitches already thrown by McLean.
Then the tables turned at Citi Field.
What looked like a hit parade in Queens ended abruptly as Ty France singled to right where Benge was more than ready to fire away, gunning down Cronenworth at the plate.
Jake Cronenworth was the first of three Padres base runners to be gunned down at the plate in Monday night’s 2-1 loss to the Mets at Citi Field – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Then in the next at-bat on a Jackson Merrill single, the rookie did it all over again, but this time, an even more difficult of a throw to gun down Machado.
A 99.9-MPH strike followed by a 103.9-MPH missile from Benge, putting an end to San Diego’s attempt in taking the lead first Monday night.
According to MLB, Carson Benge’s first inning rocket to nail Manny Machado out at the plate was tracked as the third-hardest outfield assist by Statcast (since 2015), only trailing Aaron Hicks (105.5-MPH in 2016) and Brett Phillips (104-MPH in 2017) – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“I feel like I’ve always had a good arm and accurate one at that so being able to do that and make some cool plays with the glove is pretty cool,” Benge said. “The first one was pretty cool but the inning wasn’t over yet so being able to nail him for the third out was pretty special.”
Helping McLean settle in too as the right-hander did not find a proper grip until later in his outing of six innings with one earned run allowed and three strikeouts.
“That fires me up, that’s saving not only the team runs but me runs as well,” McLean said of Benge’s first inning missiles. “I had a hard time finding a grip on the ball early in the game, I was able to find it a little bit later which helped me get through it.”
Assisting McLean the next inning was fellow 22-year-old rookie left fielder A.J. Ewing, prepared to one-up Benge’s lasers but more importantly, just help his teammates when the spot called for.
And successfully doing so on Cronenworth recording his second hit of the night, Ewing delivered a missile of his own to Francisco Álvarez to get a diving Xander Bogaerts at the plate.
The Mets recorded three outfield assists in Monday night’s win vs. the Padres, marking he 13th time in franchise history and first time since July 23, 2023 – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“Without those kids on the corners, we don’t win that game,” interim manager Andy Green said as the Mets improved to 57-69 on the year.
“Nolan doesn’t get to settle in and pitch six strong innings for us. That game coulda spun wildly different without them playing the outfield so well.”
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
TikTok: @latino.sports
