logo
Mark Vientos finds his confidence with go-ahead double to power Mets past Royals

Mark Vientos finds his confidence with go-ahead double to power Mets past Royals

New York Times12-07-2025
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After looking at a sharp slider for a second strike, Mark Vientos briefly stepped out of the batter's box to slow things down and remind himself to take a simple approach. It had been another rough night with two ugly strikeouts, the second one frustrating Vientos so much that he slammed his bat on home plate. This time would be different.
Advertisement
On the next offering from Kansas City Royals reliever Carlos Estévez, Vientos socked a slider to right field for a three-run double. His eighth inning extra-base hit with the bases loaded gave the New York Mets a one-run lead. The Mets added four more runs in the ninth to pull away for an 8-3 win at Kauffman Stadium on Friday night.
For much of the game, a lopsided win for the Mets seemed unlikely. Pete Alonso preceded Vientos' at-bat by breaking his bat over his right knee after striking out. It was that kind of night. For Alonso, who went 0-for-4 with a walk, RBI and three strikeouts. For the Mets, who had two hits before the eighth inning. And for Vientos, who had yet to record one RBI in 10 games since returning from the injured list on June 27 (.118 batting average during the span).
'I got the opportunity twice,' Vientos said, referencing his bases-loaded strikeout to end the third inning, 'it was good to redeem myself the second time.'
SWAGGY V FOR THE LEAD! 😤 pic.twitter.com/TY3LIA3xuz
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 12, 2025
The Mets (54-41) needed it. Vientos needed it more.
Confidence is as integral a part of Vientos' game as the ghost-fork pitch is to the returning Kodai Senga, who threw four scoreless innings while on a pitch limit (he tallied 67) in his first start after a hamstring injury cost him a month. After breaking out last year with 27 home runs plus five more in the postseason, Vientos oozed confidence when he arrived for spring training. He expected himself to do well.
Maybe too well.
'In the beginning of the year, it was kind of like, 'Oh, I did it last year, and I'm going to do better this year,'' Vientos said recently. 'I don't think it was a bad thing. I think it's a good thing. But the bad out of it was expecting no type of adversity. There, I got caught off guard a little bit.'
Advertisement
Reality hit the 25-year-old hard and in the form of tantalizing pitches that he just couldn't lay off or do much damage against. Before a hamstring injury sidelined him, he had six home runs and a .678 OPS through his first 208 plate appearances.
While recovering, Vientos came to some realizations. For one, he said, 'If you thought you were going to come into the league again, especially the big leagues, and think that it was going to be a walk in the park, you have another thing coming.' When Vientos returned from the injured list, he was humbled.
Vientos entered Friday 4-for-his-last-34 with 11 strikeouts, no walks and one extra-base hit. He had hit some recent balls hard, but too much of his contact happened on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Mets started to receive production from Ronny Mauricio (.879 OPS over his last 12 games heading into Friday) and Brett Baty (.821 OPS over his last 12 games heading into Friday) in a crowded infield picture, particularly at third base, Vientos' primary position. Of the three, Vientos is the third-best fielder. He needs to earn playing time with his powerful right-handed bat, which rarely experienced a prolonged slump last season.
With Starling Marte (knee) still out and Jesse Winker (back inflammation) returning to the injured list, Vientos started at designated hitter Friday. Marte expects to return after the All-Star break, but Winker's outlook is murkier, at least for now.
Perhaps no one in the Mets' lineup needed a big final weekend before the second half — and with the trade deadline less than three weeks away — more than Vientos, who added an opposite-field single in the ninth inning.
'Especially as a young player, comes here last year, has a hell of a year and is a big part of this team all the way to the playoffs, and then not having the type of season that he anticipated,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'But that's part of being a big-league player. You have to go through the ups and downs.
'You have to find a way to keep fighting. And he's done that, to his credit. And just the confidence part, understanding and knowing that he is a really good big-league hitter. It was just good to see him do that today.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety describes team's "revenge tour" this year
Former Kansas City Chiefs safety describes team's "revenge tour" this year

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety describes team's "revenge tour" this year

As a member of the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIV championship team, Tyrann Mathieu understands the culture that is built in the organization. Despite going 15-2 in the regular season last year, the Chiefs would come up short as they were throttled by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and they now come into the 2025 season looking for revenge. Having retired earlier this week, Mathieu appeared on the 'Up And Adams Show' with host Kay Adams and described what a revenge season in the locker room could look like for Kansas City. "It's intense," Mathieu said. "There's this seriousness in there between coaches and players alike. They have to tap into that mindset in the spring. You can't save that type of stuff for middle of the season. I think it's all about mentality and attitude. If I know those guys like I think I know them, they haven't had a good night of sleep since they lost that game. I think Patrick (Mahomes) is motivated, (Travis) Kelce is motivated. Coach Reid and Spagnuolo, they probably haven't left that building. I could see those guys starting fast and playing with an edge." It may sound overblown to think that the Chiefs would be on a revenge tour after having won three Super Bowl championships since 2020, but with how last season ended for them, it makes sense. As a player who was in the locker room for one of the championship years, Mathieu would know first hand about the mindset they have coming into the year.

Browns WR Cedric Tillman exits Friday's practice with leg injury
Browns WR Cedric Tillman exits Friday's practice with leg injury

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Browns WR Cedric Tillman exits Friday's practice with leg injury

The Cleveland Browns failed to make any substantial upgrade to their wide receiver room, and now may be in hot water as a result. Wide receiver Cedric Tillman, who missed the back half of the season with a concussion, has once again left the practice field with another injury. Tillman injured his leg and did not return to practice. The Browns did not give an update on the status of Tillman, as he is likely undergoing further testing. This leaves the Browns incredibly thin at the position behind Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy. The only substantial move that the Browns made was to bring in Diontae Johnson on a one-year deal, a player who burned through three locker rooms in 2024. David Bell has also started the season on Physically Unable to Perform. This means the Browns will get a healthy dose of second-year player Jamari Thrash, who has much to prove after essentially a net-zero rookie season. Tillman, while he had a miniature breakout in 2024, has to stay on the field for the Browns to be able to count on him. We'll know soon just how severe an injury that Tillman is facing, as the Browns will likely be cautious with him the rest of training camp. This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns WR Cedric Tillman exits Friday's practice with leg injury

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store