Vientos leads Mets to walk-off win over Reds & Díaz Brothers go toe-to-toe

Image Credit: MLB

FLUSHING, NY — Mark Vientos caused an eruption at Citi Field on Friday night, demolishing a 2-2, 97 MPH fastball from Cincinnati’s left-hander Justin Wilson in the bottom of the tenth inning to walk off the Reds, 6-4. 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME MARK VIENTOS??? #MetsWin pic.twitter.com/tdrZsjrOew

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 7, 2024

The 24-year-old Vientos, who continues to post and prove that he is a bonafide right-handed slugger, has compiled 24 home runs on the season, with a pair of two-run blasts coming in Friday’s win — which helped mark the New York Mets’ eighth consecutive victory — 77-64 overall, 13 games over .500, and currently tied with their NL East divisional rival Atlanta Braves for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.  

“Any walk-off home run feels really good, especially in the pennant race,” said Vientos following Friday’s walk-off win. “We’re trying to make the playoffs, it felt pretty good with that one for sure.”

For the Florida native, of Dominican and Nicaraguan family descent, he’s repeatedly shown his value this year by locking up the hot corner at third base, and producing in the batter’s box — slashing .289/.342/.563 in 91 games with the aforementioned 24 HR, to go along with 62 RBI, and an OPS of .905. 

“It’s hard to describe, he’s been everything and more so,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza on Vientos. “It’s just really cool and special to see someone that went through a lot early in the year, and for him to have those numbers, and come through day-in and day-out, somehow continues to win games — whether it’s making plays, getting big hits, great at-bats — he just continues to get better.” 

Díaz Brothers Go Toe-To-Toe

Outside of the walk-off moment from Vientos, another Hollywood-like script occurred in Queens, as the Díaz brothers of Edwin and Alexis Díaz, back-to-back National League LatinoMVP Reliever/Closer of the Year award winners, each pitched in the ninth inning, making for a night the Díaz family will never forget. 

Edwin Díaz vs. Alexis Díaz pic.twitter.com/wq30riP50O

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 7, 2024

With the game tied at 4-4, Edwin, 30, a LatinoMVP Reliever/Closer of the Year award recipient in 2018 (AL), and 2022 (NL), struck out the side in the top of the ninth, while Alexis, 27, 2023 NL LatinoMVP Reliever/Closer award winner, faced four batters in the bottom half due to hitting Francisco Álvarez on the elbow. 

All together, in the first MLB game ever where the Puerto Rican brothers both pitched in, they combined for four strikeouts, zero hits, and one base runner allowed. 

“We’ll save the lineup card for each team, this is really special,” stated Edwin in the postgame. “We come from a little hometown (Naguabo, Puerto Rico). To share the field today for the first time, both pitching in the same game, like I pitched, and he pitched — that’s really fun and I’m pretty happy.”

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