Inside The Mets

Mets' Mark Vientos Had Perfect Response to Dodgers Intentional Walk

Mets slugger Mark Vientos had the perfect response when asked about Francisco Lindor being intentionally walked by the Dodgers.

Pat Ragazzo

Oct 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) runs after hitting a grand slam home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 14, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) runs after hitting a grand slam home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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After getting blown out in Game 1 of the NLCS, the New York Mets bounced back to take Game 2 from the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 7-3 on Monday.

Young rising star third baseman Mark Vientos was a big reason why as he smashed a grand slam in the top of the second inning off Dodgers right-hander Landon Knack.

Prior to Vientos' grand slam, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made a questionable decision to intentionally walk shortstop Francisco Lindor to load the bases for Vientos. This was a move that backfired as Vientos gave the Mets a six-run lead with one swing of the bat.

After the game, Vientos was asked about the Dodgers walking Lindor to face him. The 24-year-old had the perfect response, channeling his inner Michael Jordan.

"To be honest with you, I took it personal," Vientos told FOX's dugout reporter Tom Verducci.

According to Vientos, he wasn't trying to do too much at the plate. The righty slugger's focus was just on trying to drive in a run. However, he got all of a pitch right down the middle of the plate to give his team a comfortable lead at that point.

In what is the first taste of postseason action in Vientos' young career, the third baseman is hitting .378 with a 1.086 OPS, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 37 at-bats.

The Dodgers clawed their way back to make it a three-run deficit, but Starling Marte's RBI single in the top of the ninth inning gave the Mets a much-needed insurance run.

Closer Edwin Diaz allowed the first two runners to reach base in the bottom of the ninth, but the hard-throwing righty struck out Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez and Freddie Freeman in order to lock down the save.

The Mets evened the series at 1-1, and will head back to New York for three consecutive games at Citi Field, beginning on Wednesday.

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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.

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