Dominic Smith had done as much as opportunity allowed. Then there was no better chance.
Continuing to take advantage of increased playing time since the departure of Yoenis Cespedes, Smith came through by smashing a solo homer in the top deck of Citi Field in right field in the second inning of Friday night’s game against the Marlins. It was Smith’s team-high eighth RBI in his 19th at-bat of the season.
“I felt I was right,” Smith said of his second homer of the season. “I just wanted to be on time and I put a good turn on it.”
When the 4-3 loss was complete, one swing colored his memory of the night.
Stepping to the plate in the eighth with one out, loading the bases and the Mets to one, Smith fell behind 0-2 in the count, before flying to shallow center. Wilson Ramos followed with an inning-ending foundation and the Mets would never threaten again.
“We got into a situation where the bases were loaded and the band ran on third and the winning run on second and unfortunately I couldn’t get the job done,” Smith said. ‘We have to push those runs [across]. I had to get the job done. ”
Jeff McNeil and Amed Rosario both came back from offseason with more play. McNeil had not played since he was sidelined from Monday’s game against the Braves with a low-class right intercostal strain (back). Rosario had also been out since Monday, when he was pulled with left quad-tightness.
Luis Rojas sounded optimistic Robinson Cano could be back when his minimum stay of 10 days on the injured list is over. The 37-year-old second baseman took grounders for Friday’s game.
“He is progressing really well and responding really well to the treatment,” the Mets manager said.
Robert Gsellman will soon make his long-awaited return.
Last appeared in a game on August 11th. The relief – mostly placed on the injured list on July 22 with straight triceps tendinitis – reappeared on the Mets on Friday. Gsellman said much of his recent absence has been a precautionary measure, and expressed no concern after suffering a second injury to his throwing arm last year.
‘I immediately felt some arm problems when I came to camp. It was nothing important, ‘said Gsellman. ‘It was just slow to take and make sure I was completely healthy. I’m back to normal now.
“Whatever they need, I’m here … I think I can definitely help.”
JD Davis went 1-for-4 with an RBI, setting a career-high with his 11-game stroke. … Pete Alonso went 2-for-4 with his first double of the year, snapping up a nine-game drought without an extra base hit. … Brandon Nimmo extended his career-high on-base streak to 20.
Kitcher Daniel Zamora and outfielder Ryan Cordell were optional on the team’s alternative training site. Substitute Luis Carpio was added to the team of 60-man players.
.
