Mets' Francisco Lindor shares sweet reason for offensive hot streak
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor shared an adorable reason for why he's produced positive results at the plate this week.
"Amapola has brought me a couple of hits," Lindor said following Monday's 11-1 win at the Houston Astros, per Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post.
Lindor was referencing Amapola Chloe, his daughter who first entered the world over the weekend:
Since Amapola's birth, Lindor has hit home runs in back-to-back games, and he blasted a three-run shot en route to finishing Monday's laugher with five RBIs.
John Flanigan of SNY pointed out that Lindor, who recently was accused of "selling out for power" while failing to routinely reach base, also credited hitting coach Jeremy Barnes and teammates for a run of form that began before Amapola officially introduced herself. Specifically, the 29-year-old hit .267 with a 1.133 OPS, two homers and seven RBIs across the previous five games heading into Tuesday's encounter at Minute Maid Park.
"It’s a product of the work," Lindor added about his latest offensive successes. "I’ve been working as hard as I could. The hitting coaches have helped me a lot and my teammates are talking to me and trying to keep me informed of what’s happening and how the pitchers are attacking us. Credit to everybody else. My teammates did an amazing job of getting on base for me and I was just fortunate enough to put the ball in play. It’s been tough, it’s been an uphill fight. I just need to continue to grind and keep working as hard as I can."
While ESPN stats show Lindor began Tuesday 10th among all players with 50 RBIs on the campaign and tied for first among shortstops with 14 home runs, he's still batting a lackluster .216. That kind of production remains not good enough for somebody who agreed to a 10-year, $341M contract extension with the Mets in the spring of 2021, but manager Buck Showalter nevertheless remains impressed with the demeanor he's seen from the four-time All-Star selection.
"He always plays with energy," Showalter said about Lindor following Monday's victory. "It’s the same personality every day."
The 34-38 Mets sit in fourth place and 12 games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings. New York needs Lindor to embrace whatever has bolstered him as of late if the big-spending club is to avoid what could quickly become a forgettable summer.
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