Since J.D. Davis’ breakout early last summer, it has become obvious to most everyone around the Mets that the team is at its best when his bat is in the lineup. The trouble has been figuring out where to play him.
The Mets may finally have figured out the long-term solution. Taking advantage of a run of starts at his natural position of third base, Davis crushed a three-run homer Saturday to break open the Mets’ 8-4 win over the Marlins at Citi Field.
What was once a three-run lead had been whittled down to one when Davis came to the plate with two men on base and one out in the seventh. He redirected a Josh A. Smith slider 401 feet into the Mets’ bullpen in right-center field, giving a shaky bullpen plenty of insurance.
The Mets had taken their initial lead on two-run homers by Michael Conforto and Pete Alonso, holding it for a time thanks to David Peterson’s five solid innings. But Jeurys Familia walked three of the five batters he faced in relief, necessitating Davis’ late offensive punch.
HIGHLIGHTS:
? @mconforto8 ? pic.twitter.com/t2jPqfmnCZ
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 8, 2020
? 1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣.9️⃣ ? pic.twitter.com/JoVEVyZfZT
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 9, 2020
Just Dingers. #LGM pic.twitter.com/iSJ1nFSuIa
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 9, 2020
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].