Mets Notes: Pete Alonso's 'underappreciated' defense, Tyrone Taylor's deke

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and players spoke to reporters after Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies and addressed a number of different topics…

Pete Alonso’s underappreciated defense

In a game full of big moments, Alonso’s defense was a game-changer.

With the scored tied at 1-1 in the second inning, the Phillies were threatening with men on second and third and two outs. Trea Turner hit a slow grounder to Mark Vientos at third, who ranged to his left to pick it and throw off balance toward Alonso. The slugger made a beautiful pick while staying on the bag at first to end the inning and prevent the Phillies from taking the lead.

“I gave him a big hug right after that,” Vientos said of the play after the game. “He gets underappreciated for how good he is over there and he works his tail off. He’s one of the best in the game at picking the ball and he’s been doing it since last year for me. He gets underappreciated.”

“I think he’s probably the best in the game at [picking the ball],” Mendoza said. “When it comes down to picking balls from the dirt, Pete is right there in the conversation with some of the best in the game. Today is a game-changer. Two guys on, not an easy Not an easy play for Vientos and for him to stay on the base and have the ability to pick the ball up… a big play there.”

Mark Vientos staying hot

Tuesday was Vientos’ first game back since a groin injury took him out of Saturday’s game. While the young third baseman made some good plays at third base, his resurgent offense was the story in the Mets’ win.

In the first inning, Vientos lined a Cristopher Sanchez changeup down the line for a double to score the game’s first run. While that was Vientos’ only hit, it was the continuation of a good pattern for the slugger.

Over his last seven games, Vientos has hit one home run, three doubles and driving in six runs. He had just two extra-base hits and one RBI in his first 14 games of the season.

“Same guy that I saw at the beginning of the year when he wasn’t getting results,” Mendoza said of Vientos. “Swinging threw the strike zone and hitting pitches with authority. Now he’s getting some results.”

“Doesn’t feel different, feels like I’m doing the same thing, just finding holes now,” Vientos said. “Makes you appreciate the results that much more when you’re going through that slump and starting to get those results. It feels good.” 

Tyrone Taylor’s deke

When facing a potent Phillies lineup, every out matters and Taylor was able to steal one thanks to some quick thinking and shoddy base-running by Philadelphia.

Kyle Schwarber was on first base with no outs in the eighth and the Phillies trailing 5-1. Ryne Stanek got Nick Castellanos to fly out to shallow center field, where Taylor slowed down and, for a quick second, made it seem he wouldn’t be able to snag the ball. Once the ball went into Taylor’s glove, he threw it back to first base, where he doubled off Schwarber.

“He’s a baseball player,” Mendoza said, describing Taylor. “Once he knows he’s going to get there, he tricked him a little bit there. Catches it and throws a perfect throw to first base. Not an easy one. Some instincts in there, that’s who he is, he’s a baseball player.”

“I didn’t know that I was going to have an opportunity until after I caught the ball. Then I saw him off too far, and I just went for it,” Taylor explained.” I tried to deke him a little bit, but I couldn’t tell if he fell for it or not. I just saw him too far and threw it to first base. I learned that from Jackie Bradley Jr., so hopefully, he sees this.”

He certainly did.

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