The Mets had a commanding lead of six runs over the Padres, but that lead was quickly narrowed down to just one run after the Padres posted a four-run top of the eighth inning. This prompted Mets’ closer Edwin Diaz to start warming up in the bullpen, creating a tense atmosphere at Citi Field. However, Luis Torrens hit a home run in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Mets some valuable insurance and shutting down some of the Padres’ momentum going into the ninth inning. The Mets ultimately secured an 11-6 win over the Padres.
Torrens, who was acquired by the Mets from the Yankees’ system in a trade on May 31, has been a revelation for the team. In just his eighth game with the Mets, he has impressed both offensively and defensively. With a 2-for-4 performance in the game, Torrens’ OPS is now up to 1.148, which is among the highest for Mets catchers through their first eight games with the team. His emergence has led to the DFA of Tomas Nido once top prospect Francisco Alvarez returned to the team.
Despite his impressive performance, Torrens’ time with the Mets has been relatively short. In the ninth inning, Alvarez was subbed in to catch in case Diaz was called upon to pitch. This was a reminder that Torrens has yet to catch the Mets closer, showcasing his relatively recent arrival to the team. Nevertheless, Torrens’ impact has been significant, with his offensive contributions helping the Mets secure wins.
Pitcher Kodai Senga, who has been dealing with a shoulder strain and setbacks, had a successful bullpen session and is expected to face hitters in his next outing. This progress is a positive sign for the right-hander, who is looking to make his season debut. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza enjoyed a nice Father’s Day, spending time on the field with his sons before the game. Mendoza expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have his children with him at work, making the day special for him.
In the game, Padres star Manny Machado and manager Mike Shildt were ejected in the sixth inning. Machado was ejected after slamming his bat and arguing with the home-plate umpire over a strike-three call. This incident led to Shildt also getting ejected from the game. Despite the ejections, players like Harrison Bader continued to deliver strong performances for their teams. Bader had a 2-for-4 game with an RBI double and a steal, contributing to the Padres’ offensive efforts in the game.
