Reese Kaplan -- Surprisingly Good by 2 Players, 1 Not So Much

It’s somewhat old news by now, but how great did it feel when Francisco Alvarez hit that game ending bottom of the ninth home run?  I’ve never seen a young player (except one robustly criticized for showboating) react as Alvarez did, dropping the bat with the full knowledge that he’d clobbered it deep into the seats.  Part of me was tiny bit miffed that a 22 year old would do that but it was overwhelmed by the Mets fan in me who felt that of any player on the Mets who needed a stunning moment it was Alvarez. Enjoy it here.

Of course, the trot around the bases was done in slow motion commemorating the victory and even included him missing the tag of home plate.  While no one from the Orioles indicated they would protest the moment of negligence, it was good to see his ecstatic teammates remind him that the highlight reel celebration wasn’t for real until he made it official by running back to touch the plate.

It was an interesting and wild set of emotions from the players on the field.  The removal of his shirt was partially just a means of making him feel the sheer energy of what had just happened and partially to help him preserve this shirt for the future in his now growing personal showroom of moments in his career.  Alvarez received not just one Gatorade shower for his achievement, but a second one from big Pete Alonso to let him know how much he was appreciated and how much that long ball meant to his team. 

For a team playing August baseball more like it was April or May after an extended hot streak it was needed as much for the club as it was for the player who created the victory.  It almost felt like postseason revelry and here it is just mid August.  For those five minutes or so of wild cheer and triumph it kind of fanned the somewhat dormant flame about the Mets getting hot enough to make their way into playing October baseball. 

Of course for all of that fanfare, lost somewhat was another terrific outing by the suddenly consistent David Peterson.  His mystery balk seemed to unnerve him and with the next pitch landing over the fence his opportunity to get a much deserved victory went out the window.  Still, when the season began everyone was ready to build a red carpet straight from Tylor Megill’s locker to the starting pitching mound.  It’s funny how things change in unexpected ways.

The real worry right now is the start on Tuesday for Jose Quintana.  In the month of August the man has given up 12 runs in less than 16 innings of pitching.  For a guy playing to pique someone’s interest as a free agent in the offseason, his 6-8 record and 4.26 ERA is not going to make front office hearts go aflutter.  Considering he’s already 35 years old he’s likely looking at a late winter or early spring short term contract for a lot less money than he has been accustomed to earning.  There are days he’s looked like a hidden gem and pitched surprisingly well, but the consistency is not there and he’s working himself out of the Mets rotation if they do indeed make the playoffs.