Andres Gimenez’s raw talent has been on show for two weeks now, but on Sunday he took that step from being a handsome player with a potentially huge advantage 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 obvious flawless defense, bring the most energy into the Mets line-up since Jose Reyes in its prime.
That day, 21-year-old Gimenez set fire to all three of the Mets’ rallies in a 4-2 win over the Marlins at Citi Field, earning them only their second straight win this season.
While Jacob deGrom battled a finger problem that required a visit from coach Brian Chicklo in the second inning on the hill, the Mets relied heavily on Gimenez and the bullpen to keep the marlins off.
DeGrom (2-0) was removed after 98 pitches and five innings, in which he allowed two earned runs with seven hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Jared Hughes, Dellin Betances, Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo tossed the last four innings goalless to end them.
Gimenez, who started second base with Robinson Cano on the injured list, went 3-4 with two singles and one doubles and one stolen base to increase his average to 333 in 33 bats that season.
It was Gimenez ‘colorful single that led from sixth and resulted in the Mets making their final run on Jeff McNeil’s sacrificial fly. Gimenez had also scored two previous runs.
DeGrom was close to surviving five innings unscathed when Jesus Aguilar crushed a two-outs with two-outs homer that drew the Marlins within 3-2. It was the second straight start that deGrom allowed a homer – former teammate Travis d’Arnaud cracked down on him on Monday in Atlanta.
Gimenez sparked a Mets rally in the third with a leadoff single and a stolen base. After walks to Tomas Nido and Brandon Nimmo loaded the bases, McNeil’s RBI outfield got a run and Corey Dickerson mistreated Michael Conforto’s flight to the left over a mistake that gave the Mets a 2-0 lead.
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