With one out and the tying run on base, Buck Showalter called on Danny Mendick to pinch hit for Brett Baty, the Mets' promising prospect who had cranked a home run earlier in the game.
Facing lefty Hoby Milner, Mendick reached on a fielder's choice, nearly bouncing into a double play, before Starling Marte bounced into a double play two batters later to end the inning.
Showalter, seemingly losing supporters by the day as the Mets continue to struggle, was widely criticized for benching Baty in favor of Mendick, considering Mendick didn't have great numbers against southpaws in the minors, while Baty has been just above league average against lefties this season.
Asked about the move after the game, Showalter pointed to Baty's youth, and assured reporters that Baty would continue to see his role evolve as he "matures."
"Depends on which left hander it is," Showalter said. "We hope, eventually, it happens. Sometimes it depends on who the lefty is. That guy is one of the better left-on-left pitchers in the league, and you're kind of running out of outs there. But we've let him hit off some of them, depending on who it is.
"He'll reach a point as he matures and keeps playing. Keep in mind his age…it's a little situation here. We're trying to win a baseball game and give ourselves the best chance. Little by little, we've given him some. Trying to win games and develop players at the same time. That's kind of the challenge up here."
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