Old School
Reyes turns back clock to spark Met's win over Marlins
Jose Reyes, who went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, slides as he steals third base during the Mets’ 5-3 victory over the Marlins on Friday night.
MIAMI — Maybe the Marlins should have considered giving Jose Reyes a second chance, too.
Returning to Miami for the first time since being shipped away after just one season (2012) at Marlins Park, Reyes put on a vintage do-everything performance to lead the Mets to a much-needed 5-3 win Friday night. He recorded three hits and produced three runs to bring the Mets within a half-game of the Marlins for second place in the NL East. After hitting two doubles in a win over the Marlins in just his second game of his second stint with the Mets on July 6, Reyes again was the offensive catalyst, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Reyes, who collected his first three-hit game this season raised his batting average from .213 to .285. “That’s what we envisioned,” manager Terry Collins said. “We got a lot of games to play, and I think he’s gonna make a big difference in our lineup.” The difference in the dynamicdy of the offense waswa evident after just oneon inning, as Reyes remindedmi the sparse crowdcr why he once was luredlur there for $106 million.lio Opening with a doubledo off southpaw AdamAd Conley, Reyes thenth stole third base — tyingtyi the team lead with his third swipe of the seasonse — and scored on aa YYoenis Cespedes sacrificefic fly to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. “He’s like a can of Red BullBu bottled up into a humanma being,” said starter LoLogan Verrett, who allowed two runs over 5 ¹/3 innings in a no-decision. “That’s something that we were lacking. You need that high level of energy.”
In the fourth inning, Reyes added to the lead, driving in Travis d’Arnaud on a high chopper with two outs.
“You don’t have to sit back and wait for the home run. This guy produces runs,” Collins said. “He gets on base. He gets in scoring position. I realize even though he’s fast, he’s probably a step slower than five years ago when he was here, but he’s still a great baserunner, and he creates havoc when he gets on the bases. People have to worry about him.”
Concern shifted to Collins after Christian Yelich tied the game with a two-run homer to right center in the sixth inning, but Reyes snatched the momentum right back. The 33-yearold led off the seventh inning with a single, advanced to third on a Curtis Granderson single and then scored the go-ahead run on another Cespedes sacrifice fly.
“I’ve waited for this for a little while,” Reyes said of his performance. “It was good to set the tone for the guys behind me. I feel good. I feel like I’m seeing the ball better from both sides of the plate.”
Now, the Mets face Jose Fernandez — and Reyes gets the first shot.
“I’ve never stopped working and never stopped believing in what I can do on the field if someone gives me the opportunity,” Reyes said. “I just feel very pleased and very happy that the New York Mets took that chance with me, and I’m gonna continue to get better.”