Amazin’ debut
McNeil hits pinch single in his first MLB at-bat
Jeff McNeil spent his life dreaming of the moment he would step into a major league batter’s box. He waited five years after being drafted in the 12th round in 2013 by the Mets — but he needed just one pitch to make it all worthwhile.
McNeil, summoned from Triple-A on Monday night, lined the first major league pitch he saw — a Phil Hughes fastball — into center for a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 6-3 victory over the Padres on Tuesday at Citi Field.
“It felt amazing,” said McNeil, who was hitting .368 at Las Vegas before his call-up. “Just going up there looking for a good pitch to hit. He threw me a fastball right down the middle, put a good swing on it.”
McNeil, who hit 19 homers this season between Double-A and Triple-A, went up thinking of being aggressive. And he was.
“Don’t want to fall behind especially coming off the bench,” said McNeil, who stressed he felt the energy and anticipation from the crowd of 21,925. “Always want to get the first hit out of the way now come back tomorrow and try to do the same thing. It was unbelievable, something I’ve always dreamed of.”
McNeil, 26, missed his initial flight Monday night, but still arrived in plenty of time Tuesday morning. His wife, parents, brother and sister trekked from Santa Barbara, Calif., for his debut. A second baseman by trade, McNeil has played multiple positions, an ability that, along with his power, makes him appealing to manager Mickey Callaway.
➤ Ty Kelly was designated for assignment Tuesday and Phil Evans was called up and inserted into the starting lineup, hitting eighth and playing third base.
➤ The Mets are in position, with a victory Wednesday, to win a series for the first time since May 18-20. They have gone 17 series since.
➤ Seth Lugo pitched the final two innings for the Mets and surrendered an RBI double to Wil Myers in the ninth.
➤ Michael Conforto’s homer in the third was his 13th of the season — and came off a lefty. Conforto is hitting .425 (17-of-40) vs. lefties after starting 9-of-54 (.167).