Squeezing in a run leads to many more for Mets
The Mets' Jon Niese bunts and brings a run home during the second inning of a game in Miami against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, June 22, 2014. Credit: AP / J Pat Carter
MIAMI -- Terry Collins couldn't remember the last time he called for a suicide squeeze. But with his team desperate for runs, the Mets manager hoped to find a spark. It seemed to work.
The Mets hammered the Marlins 11-5 Sunday, and the onslaught began with pitcher Jonathon Niese's perfect bunt to score Kirk Nieuwenhuis in the second inning.
"The squeeze was huge," Collins said of the play, which gave the Mets their second run. "We don't do that much."
Niese said he couldn't remember the last time he was asked to execute at the plate. Neither could Nieuwenhuis, who took off from third the moment Marlins righthander Anthony DeSclafani let go of a 1-0 pitch to Niese.
The two executed the play perfectly, with Niese's bunt landing to the left of the pitcher, just moments before Nieuwenhuis touched home plate. According to Baseball Prospectus, the Mets hadn't squeeze home a run since the 2012 season.
Extra bases
Centerfielder Juan Lagares may rejoin the Mets this week if all goes well during his rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton, scheduled to begin tonight . . . Catcher Travis d'Arnaud could rejoin the Mets as early as Tuesday's series opener against the A's. Team officials have been pleased with d'Arnaud's progress (.453 average in first 13 games) since his demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas . . . Righthander Dillon Gee (strained lat muscle) will make a rehab appearance on Tuesday.
