Boomer Esiason was admittedly “giddy” while watching the Mets come back and win one of their most thrilling games in franchise history, but even as the victory was secured and the champagne flowed, he couldn’t help but feel lingering frustration over what necessitated Francisco Lindor’s heroic home run.
“I’m also irked,” Boomer said. “I’m sick and tired of giving up stolen bases! Holy Christ, can we just keep a guy on first base?”
The Mets nearly coughed up the lead again in the ninth inning after Eli White stole second base to put the tying run in scoring position, the second runner to steal second off Edwin Diaz in the game. Travis d’Arnaud grounded out to end the game and send New York to the postseason, but the stolen bases still left Boomer with concern about what’s to come.
“The Milwaukee Brewers remind me of the 2015 Kansas City Royals,” Boomer said. “They’re gonna run the Mets out of the building if they don’t start keeping guys on base! What is Edwin Diaz doing?
“He let the guy steal second, and the tying run is in scoring position!”
The Brewers finished the season second in all of baseball in stolen bases, and the Mets have some arms in the bullpen that struggle to hold runners on, particularly Adam Ottavino. Gio and Jerry couldn’t believe that was what Boomer wanted to fixate on after such a huge win, but Boomer wants these Mets to keep playing baseball, and for that to happen, they will have to limit traffic on the basepaths.
“I want them to continue to win…you gotta stop letting bases be stolen,” Boomer said.
“It was amazing. But I’m irked by the lack of attention to detail in the big moments.”