Mets’ young trio provides spark in win over Angels

In 2022, MLB Pipeline tabbed the Mets’ three best prospects as Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, who along with Mark Vientos broke into the majors around the same time. Francisco Lindor coined the group the “Baby Mets.” 

A few years later — after demotions, inconsistencies, injuries and flashes — they sure look grown up. 

Bottles gone and bats looking ready to break out, the Mets’ young trio were at the center of their one big, three-run inning that became the only offense they needed in a 3-2 victory over the Angels in front of a sellout crowd of 43,055 at Citi Field on Tuesday. 

The Mets (58-44) have won three straight after losing three straight and claimed the series before Wednesday’s finale. 

Frankie Montas was decent in letting up two runs in 5 ²/₃ innings — though recording 17 outs nearly qualifies as a marathon for this Mets rotation. 

Three relievers — highlighted by excellence from once-again-Met Rico Garcia and clutch work from Ryne Stanek, who induced a game-ending pop-out from Mike Trout with the potential tying run on second — were better in covering 3 ¹/₃ scoreless innings. 

Best for the Mets was the group of friends who have overcome a well-publicized option (in Alvarez’s case), a roller-coaster ride that has included plenty of frustrations (in Baty’s case) and a torn ACL (in Mauricio’s case). 

The Mets entered the fifth inning down two runs before the trio went to work. 

With two outs, Baty — looking more comfortable by the day and who received a vote of confidence from David Stearns on Monday — slugged a double that reached the wall in right-center. 

Alvarez — summoned Monday after a torrid stretch at Triple-A Syracuse — continued looking like the Alvarez of old in working a deep at-bat before getting a seventh-pitch fastball that was thrown down the middle. Alvarez hammered it over the left-field wall for a two-run homer that tied the game. As if the might were not evident enough, Alvarez flexed his right bicep as he came around third base. 

Mauricio — whose progress also was highlighted by Stearns — then stroked a single and easily stole second base. A two-out hit from Brandon Nimmo drove in what became the game-winning run. 

A day after coming back from a four-run hole, the Mets completed another comeback because their bullpen was untouched. 

Garcia — who had been DFA’d by the Mets on July 11, signed with the Yankees July 14, pitched with the Yankees on Friday, was DFA’d by the Yankees on Saturday and was reclaimed by the Mets on Monday — recorded three large outs, including a strikeout of Trout. 

Reed Garrett followed without allowing a run and Stanek recorded his third save of the season, Edwin Díaz unavailable on what would have been a third straight day of work.