It's no secret that Mets 3B/DH Mark Vientos has been having a tough second full season in the majors, but the young slugger reminded people of his abilities during Monday night's loss to the San Diego Padres.
After blasting what would have been a two-run homer, but got robbed at the wall by RF Fernando Tatis Jr., Vientos took advantage of the second chance the following inning. The 25-year-old crushed his first career grand slam in the regular season over the head of Tatis into the stands, putting the Mets up 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning.
New York wound up blowing the four-run lead and losing on a walk-off in the ninth inning, but that shouldn't entirely take away from Vientos' big hit. He told reporters after the 7-6 loss that he's been feeling much better at the plate and is sticking with his approach.
"Felt good at the plate today, felt good at the plate," Vientos said. "Got two pitches to hit in the location I was looking for and put a good swing on it. Felt better at the plate for sure."
He added: "I said it last time, just doubling down on my approach and what I want at the plate and I'm staying convicted to it."
When asked about the near-HR that Tatis robbed, Vientos couldn't help but tip his cap to the three-time All-Star.
"I thought I had it, I put a good swing on it," Vientos said. "Obviously, he caught it and made a heck of a play. I was like, 'Damn, nice play.' Yeah, it was an amazing play."
MARK VIENTOS GRAND SLAM!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LEb4yx6tSR
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 29, 2025
What may have been the secret to his revenge home run was that San Diego starter Dylan Cease intentionally walked Jeff McNeil to load the bases and face Vientos. New York fans will remember a similar situation when the Los Angeles Dodgers intentionally walked Francisco Lindor during the Game 2 of the 2024 NLCS and Vientos made them pay, becoming the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a LCS.
"I'm happy I get put in those situations," Vientos said. "I like those situations because I tend to lock in more, I don't know why. I'm happy to be in that situation and just come through for the team."
Vientos added that it was simply "good timing" on his grand slam and called the "back and forth" game a battle.
"I thought it was a great game, both teams battled," Vientos said. "You're talking about two playoff teams. I thought it was a great game, it was a pretty long game too, think we were going back and forth. They just came out on top today."
His big homer comes at an interesting time with the MLB trade deadline fast approaching on June 31 and earlier Monday, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported that the Mets are discussing Vientos in trade talks. Vientos then spoke to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo prior to the game about the trade rumors and said he can't view it as a negative.
"I see it as it’s a good thing,” Vientos said. “It’s a good thing that I’m being talked about. You can see it as like, ‘Damn, it’s bad.’ But I see it as, ‘Man, I’m that important in the league that I’m being talked about in trade rumors.’
"Obviously, it sucks because I don’t want to get traded. But this is a business, at the end of the day. I feel like it is what it is. What can I do?"
He added: "I feel like I’m swinging a lot better and I’m playing a lot less now. It is what it is. What can I do? The only thing I can control is keep getting better, and whenever I get the opportunity, try to help the team.”
