Golden-haired Cabrera leads charge in ‘W’
Asdrubal Cabrera was the other important piece of the Mets’ lineup activated last week, a fact that might have been overshadowed by Yoenis Cespedes’ return. But Cabrera’s production over that stretch has rivaled that of Cespedes. On Friday, the veteran shortstop hit two home runs — one from each side of the plate — to lead the charge in the Mets’ 9-4 victory over the Phillies at Citi Field. Cabrera became the first Mets player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game since Carlos Beltran on May 12, 2011 at Colorado. Cabrera had never previously accomplished the feat. “It’s not easy,” Cabrera said. “I’m excited that it happened. Everything I can do to help the team win, I’m excited about.” In seven games since returning from the disabled list, Cabrera is 11for-28 (.393) with two homers and seven RBIs. He previously spent three weeks rehabbing a strained tendon in his left knee. “I think the rest has helped him — it always does,” manager Terry Collins said. “It’s common sense, the rest is going to help you out in the long run. “But he’s played very well since he’s been back, and his presence in the clubhouse, he’s a pro. This guy is a pro. He plays the game the right way and it’s nice to have him in there again.”
Cabrera’s homer in the first inning against Adam Morgan followed Jose Reyes’ blast leading off the game for the Mets. It marked only the second time in franchise history the Mets had back-to-back homers leading off a game. It previously occurred in 2007 with Reyes and Ruben Gotay.
“As soon as we got Reyes, I knew he’s the kind of player you want on your team,” Cabrera said. “He’s a leadoff hitter with so much energy and he knows how to play the game.”
Cabrera’s second homer of the game came in the sixth with Bartolo Colon aboard, following the 43-year-old pitcher’s second hit of the game.
“[Colon] was great today — hitting, pitching — he’s the guy working hard every time on the mound,” Cabrera said. “He tries to get better every day and I enjoy it when he’s on the mound.”