Newcomers add spice to super start by Mets
Frazier, Lobaton power ninth win in row
NEW YORK — Todd Frazier and the New York Mets are grinding out win after win after win, and he already has devised the team gesture.
Frazier hit his first two home runs with the Mets, new catcher Jose Lobaton tripled in his first at-bat with the team, and New York extended its win streak to nine with a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.
Mets players are celebrating throughout games with a salt-andpepper shaker motion promoted by Frazier to signify their grinding approach.
“Put a little seasoning on the year,” he said, giving the alternate rationale. “We’ve got to have fun. It’s baseball. You feel like a little kid.”
Steven Matz ended an 11-start winless streak dating to June 28 as New York became the first major league team to start 11-1 since the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. Under new manager Mickey Callaway, the Mets are on their longest win streak since 11 consecutive victories from April 12 to 23, 2015.
“We expect to win,” said Frazier, who also singled and walked. “Once you expect to win and you truly believe, I think there’s no going wrong.”
Said Callaway: “When we made offseason acquisitions, we had the clubhouse atmosphere in mind. Bringing Jay Bruce back, getting Adrian Gonzalez, getting Frazier, signing Jose Reyes back, those are all huge pieces in your clubhouse that help create that relaxed atmosphere that we’re seeing and that fight that we’re seeing throughout the game.”
It was 68 degrees on the first warm home night of the season, contributing to a crowd of 34,921.