Andres Gimenez’s raw talent has been on display for two weeks, but on Sunday he took that step from nice looking player with a potentially big head to someone who put the Mets on his back and won a game.
The rookie infielder’s bat and legs – in addition to his already evidently smooth defense – bring perhaps the most energy to the Mets lineup since Jose Reyes in his prime.
On that day, the 21-year-old Gimenez ignited all three of the Mets’ scores in a 4-2 victory over the Marlins at Citi Field that gave them only their second back-to-back win this season.
With Jacob deGrom fighting over a finger issue that required a visit to the mound by coach Brian Chicklo in the second inning, the Mets lay heavy on Gimenez and kept the bull in the Marlins.
DeGrom (2-0) was eliminated after 98 pitches and five innings, in which he allowed two deserved runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Jared Hughes, Dellin Betances, Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo threw the last four innings scoreless before the end.
Gimenez, starting at second base with Robinson Cano on the injured list, went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double and a steal base in raising his average to .333 in 33 at-bats this season.
It was Gimenez’s bunt single leading the sixth, which allowed the Mets to get their final run on Jeff McNeil’s sacrificial flight. Gimenez had also scored two previous runs.
DeGrom was on the verge of five innings without surviving when Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run homer with two outs that drew the Marlins within 3-2. It was the second straight start in which deGrom allowed a homer – former teammate Travis d’Arnaud Monday deep against him in Atlanta.
Gimenez jumped a Mets rally in the third with a leadoff single and stolen base. After walks to Tomas Nido and Brandon Nimmo loaded the bases, the choice of McNeil’s RBI fielder brought a touchdown, and Corey Dickerson mishandled Michael Conforto’s flight to the left for an error that gave the Mets a 2-0 lead.
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