Lindor leads Mets’ power game in win over Braves
The New York Mets won two of three in their NL East showdown with the Atlanta Braves despite playing without two of their four All-Stars.
It helped that Francisco Lindor played like he should be included at the Midsummer Classic.
Lindor led New York’s power game with a threerun homer, Chris Bassitt threw six strong innings and the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Wednesday.
The first-place Mets stretched their lead over the Braves to 2 games.
Lindor had five hits in the set. He has 64 RBIs and already has topped his 2021 total of 63.
“Selfishly, I’d like to see him get four days off because he plays almost everyday, but you could make a real good case for him going to the All-Star Game, too,” said Mets manager Buck Showalter before adding he “hasn’t heard a whimper” from Lindor on the subject.
The Mets were without All-Star second baseman Jeff McNeil (paternity list) and outfielder Starling Marte (groin tightness) in the series.
Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha also homered for the Mets.
Eddie Rosario had three hits, including one of Atlanta’s three homers – all solo shots.
Bassitt (7-6) improved to 5-2 in eight road starts this season by allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
Atlanta’s Charlie Morton (5-4) gave up five runs on six hits, including three homers, and three walks in five-plus innings. The three homers allowed matched his career high.
Robinson Cano, making his second start at second base since he was acquired by Atlanta for $1 in a minor league deal with San Diego, had one hit.
Giants 4, Diamondbacks 3: Brandon Crawford hit a game-ending RBI single to complete host San Francisco’s rally from a 3-0 deficit to beat Arizona.
INTERLEAGUE Mariners 6, Nationals
Eugenio Suarez hit a three-run homer, Chris Flexen pitched six solid innings to win his fourth straight start and Seattle won its ninth straight, beating host Washington.
AMERICAN LEAGUE Twins 4, Brewers 1:
Jose Miranda hit a gameending, three-run homer against Milwaukee’s Josh Hader as host Minnesota finally got a timely hit to beat the Brewers.
Royals 5, Tigers 2: Brady Singer won for the first time in over a month as host Kansas City completed its first winning homestand in nearly a year with a win over Detroit.
ELSEWHERE Royals:
Kansas City will be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster for their upcoming trip to Toronto due to Canadian restrictions on travelers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19. Manager Mike Matheny said the club will be without hitters Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Dozier, Cam Gallagher, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Whit Merrifield and Michael A. Taylor along with pitchers Dylan Coleman, Brad Keller and Brady Singer. The 10 players will be placed on the restricted list and forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.
Blue Jays: Toronto fired manager Charlie Montoyo and promoted bench coach John Schneider to interim manager for the remainder of the season. General manager Ross Atkins made the move even with the Blue Jays at 46-42 this season. They held the AL’s final wildcard slot when the day began but were in fourth place in the AL East.
All-Star game: The union representing Dodger Stadium concession workers and the company that employs them said they have returned to the bargaining table, two days after workers threatened a strike that could affect the All-Star Game. Monday, the union said 99% of the workers had authorized a strike “at any time.” The workers are employed by Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, which the Dodgers contract to operate stadium concessions.