The Mets, while knocking around the Diamondbacks en route to a sweep on Thursday night, emptied their bench in support of their teammate after Francisco Alvarez was plunked on the arm with New York leading 9-0 in the seventh.
Alvarez, who blasted the game-tying home run the night before and let out an animated celebration around the bases, glared at Arizona pitcher Jose Ruiz as he made his way to first base, and suddenly, the benches and bullpens emptied.
The reaction seemed precautionary more than anything, as Mets third base coach Joey Cora was seen laughing with Diamonbacks coaches shortly afterward. But Alvarez, who homered in all three games of the series, told reporters afterward that if the plunking was intentional, there are better ways to get payback.
“If they did it on purpose,” Alvarez said through an interpreter. “If they did it to make me feel bad, what they should do is strike me out there.”
As for the Mets’ reaction, while nothing escalated after the benches emptied, they wanted to make it clear that they support their 21-year-old rookie, especially if he took exception to the pitch.
“No matter what, I've got his back,” Francisco Lindor said. “No matter what happens, I have his back.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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