LOS ANGELES — During Monday afternoon’s game, New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos stood in the on-deck circle and witnessed Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts signal for an intentional walk. Anger boiled up inside him.

True, first base was empty.

And sure enough, Francisco Lindor, a likely MVP candidate, was at bat.

But Vientos thought – are you really going to load the bases just to face me in the second inning?

Didn’t the Dodgers notice Vientos had batted .563 with two home runs and five RBIs in the Mets’ division series against the Philadelphia Phillies?

And didn’t they realize that even though this is his first full season, he plays like a 10-time All-Star?

“I took it personal,” Vientos shared. “I used it as motivation. I told myself, ‘Alright, if you want me up, I’ll show you what I can do.'”

When he stepped into the batter’s box, Vientos endured nine tough pitches before he seized Landon Knack’s 95-mph fastball.

“I hit a bomb,” Vientos declared.

It was a grand slam.

The first one of Vientos’ career.

The Mets triumphed over the Dodgers with a 7-3 score, securing their initial victory in the National League Championship Series, in front of a shocked crowd of 52,926 at Dodger Stadium.

The series is now tied at one game each, with the next three games scheduled for Citi Field in New York, where the Mets have only played twice in the past three weeks during their remarkable journey.

“I want to go home,” Vientos expressed. “There’s nothing like playing in front of New York fans. I’m thrilled to return.”

The Mets flew home feeling revitalized and full of confidence, believing their winning spirit is back.

Even though they remain the underdogs in the series—lacking three MVPs in their lineup—they managed to silence some doubt. They didn’t spend a whopping $1.4 billion on free-agent signings, and the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani, plays for their opponents.

Yet, they completely neutralized Ohtani on Monday, with starter Sean Manaea not allowing him a hit, striking him out twice.

“I don’t think you see Ohtani struggle like that often,” said Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza.

Mookie Betts struck out three times, and Freddie Freeman ended the game with no hits in four at-bats.

The Mets also demonstrated that the Dodgers’ previously strong pitching is beatable, breaking up the team’s record-tying 33-inning postseason scoreless streak with Lindor’s lead-off home run. They managed 10 hits, and every starter got on base at least once.

It’s as if the Mets were also motivated by critics who had wondered if the Dodgers would sweep the series after their 9-0 victory in Game 1.

“We’re not dwelling on the past,” Lindor noted. “That mindset has helped us stay focused on the present, staying on course and continuing to progress.

“None of us were concerned about what had happened before.”

So, was there not too much pressure to win Game 2?

“Pressure is always there, right?” Lindor replied. “Pressure is a blessing. I’d be dishonest if I said there’s no pressure. There’s pressure playing the game this late in the season. You just need to focus on yourself, go out there, and perform.”

At 24, Vientos has been called up and sent down to the minors five times since his debut in 2022. He finally earned a permanent spot on the roster beginning May 15, and he knows a thing or two about pressure, feeling it every day just to remain in the majors.

So when Knack intentionally walked Lindor, Vientos wasn’t burdened by pressure—he only saw it as a chance to prove everyone wrong once again.

Are you hoping for Vientos at the plate?

Well, you got him now.

“Mark is filled with confidence,” said Lindor. “He believes in himself, and that’s commendable. ”

“That’s his nature. I’m glad he took it to heart.”

The strategy to confront Vientos seemed promising when Knack gained the upper hand with a 1-2 count. However, Vientos managed to stay afloat against Knack’s sliders, fouling off five pitches.

Knack, feeling frustrated, tried to deceive him with a fastball.

Unfortunately, he left it right over the plate.

Vientos connected beautifully and sent the ball soaring over the right-center-field fence.

“I wasn’t going to miss that,” he said.

The crowd gasped in disbelief. Knack let out a groan. And the Mets’ dugout erupted in celebration.

They jumped ahead 6-0 and never looked back.

“I wasn’t shocked by that just because ever since he got here,” remarked Mets winning pitcher Sean Manaea, who surrendered just two hits in five innings. “He’s done incredible things.”

Vientos, who posted a .266 average with 27 home runs and 71 RBIs despite a late start, feels he’s merely warming up. In the postseason, he’s batting .378 with three home runs, 11 RBIs, and a 1.086 OPS. He is just one RBI away from tying the franchise record for the postseason with at least three playoff games left—potentially setting up for even more.

Though he struck out thrice in the Mets’ Game 1 loss, he maintained his confidence and drew wisdom from veterans like J.D. Martinez and Lindor.

“I’ve been soaking up knowledge from all these experienced players and All-Stars,” Vientos shared. “I’m really grateful for that. I constantly ask questions, particularly at crucial moments, like ‘What should I do in this situation?’

“For example, J.D., who has a World Series title, does an excellent job of unifying the team. He always reminds us to keep our emotions stable, regardless of whether we are leading or trailing. It’s crucial to maintain composure throughout the game because the team that manages their emotions the best typically comes out on top.

“That’s what I’ve been concentrating on.”

This philosophy truly embodies the Mets’ team spirit.

At one point in early June, they were 11 games below .500. They only secured a playoff spot when Lindor hit a game-winning home run on the last day of the season. During their wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, they found themselves down 2-0 in the ninth inning when Pete Alonso delivered a game-winning three-run homer.

They also suffered a significant defeat in Game 1 of this series, going against a pitching staff that had achieved a major-league record with 33 consecutive shutout innings.

“We’ve shown resilience all year,” Mendoza remarked. “Whenever we get knocked down, we keep finding ways to rise again.

“And this trend will continue.”

Who would dare to doubt them now?