SAN DIEGO — It took Eduardo Escobar a very long time to warmth up this season. However in changing into the primary Mets participant to hit for the cycle since 2012, which he did in his crew’s 11-5 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night time, it appeared as if he would possibly by no means cease hitting.
Any time a participant hits for the cycle, Supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned, “it’s enjoyable to look at. However particularly him. You understand how a lot he means to his teammates. It’s virtually like they hit it.”
Escobar belted a two-run single within the first inning in opposition to Padres starter Blake Snell. He whacked a double to steer off the fourth inning in opposition to Snell. He slugged a two-run dwelling run in opposition to reliever Craig Stammen within the eighth after which seized the cycle dramatically with a two-run triple off reliever Tim Hill within the ninth.
In accordance with Stats Perform, Escobar was the primary participant in main league historical past to get a cycle with a homer within the eighth and a triple within the ninth.
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It was the Mets’ first cycle since Scott Hairston did it in 2012, and Escobar knew when he stepped into the field precisely the place he was and what he wanted. He mentioned when the ball dropped onto the proper area grass, he was sprinting for third base regardless.
“I used to be completely happy he did,” shortstop Francisco Lindor mentioned. “These don’t come too usually.”
“I used to be actually completely happy for what he did tonight,” mentioned starter Carlos Carrasco, who struck out 10 whereas permitting simply two runs over seven innings in positioning the Mets for his or her third win within the first 5 video games of this 10-game western journey.
Escobar’s power is contagious and his persona infectious. Lengthy a well-liked clubhouse presence in Minnesota, Arizona and Milwaukee, Escobar signed a two-year, $20 million cope with the Mets on Dec. 1, simply forward of the lockout. After a tepid begin, Escobar hit simply .212 within the month of Might. However he’s now 20 for 60 (.333) over his previous 14 video games.
And his previous two video games are trending even higher.
It was Escobar’s sacrifice fly on the finish of a grueling 10-pitch at-bat within the eighth inning on Sunday in Los Angeles that briefly gave the Mets a 3-2 lead earlier than the Dodgers tied it and the Mets received 5-4 within the tenth. He fouled off 5 pitches through the at-bat in opposition to Brusdar Graterol, together with 4 in a row earlier than driving dwelling a run.
“I believe his teammates will let you know that at-bat yesterday may need been among the finest of the 12 months,” Showalter mentioned. “It form of typifies the instance everyone tries to set and observe.”
Then got here Monday’s series-opener in San Diego and a 4 for five night time with six R.B.I. It was the eleventh total cycle in Mets historical past, and the primary by any participant within the 19-year historical past of Petco Park.
Escobar credited hitting coach Eric Chavez and his teammates for serving to push him by the doldrums earlier within the season when he was combating to get right into a groove on the plate. “Your second is coming,” he mentioned a number of informed him.
They have been talking within the common sense, after all. However Monday proved to be one other particular second in a string of them thus far this season for the Mets.
“It provides to the journey,” Lindor mentioned.
Escobar was greeted by a standing ovation from a small contingent of Mets followers who had gathered behind the Petco Park guests’ dugout for an impromptu celebration.
Sure, Escobar seen them.
“Nice second,” he mentioned. “It’s unbelievable.”
Then the dugout exploded upon his arrival when the inning was over.
“Very quietly, he’s reverting to his observe document,” Showalter mentioned. “That’s why you belief guys like him which have such good make-up and a lot want-to. He will get annoyed, however he by no means takes it out in area and by no means takes it into clubhouse. He’s a very good instance for everyone.
“I believe everyone takes a bit of particular emotion out of it. It was fairly enjoyable within the clubhouse. His assertion about ‘I’m pleased with you’ on a regular basis, they dropped it on him tonight.”
