Robinson Cano’s herculean effort on Tuesday ignited the New York Mets to a crucial win to open their series against the Padres.
Robinson Cano‘s first season with the New York Mets has not gone smoothly. From issues pertaining to hustling, to his below-average slash line, expectations have not been met.
However, Tuesday was hands down his brightest moment in the orange and blue. Cano’s three home runs were the catalyst in a 5-2 victory.
Coming off a grueling series in San Francisco where they lost three out of four, the Mets needed to get off on the right foot in Tuesday’s series opener with the San Diego Padres.
Facing Chris Paddack, one of the best young arms in the National League, Cano got the fireworks started with this second-deck shot in the fourth.
.@RobinsonCano gave this one a ride! ? pic.twitter.com/k3rlRRT9jh
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 24, 2019
Just two innings later, the veteran second baseman tagged the rookie again, this time following a walk to Pete Alonso.
Cano hits his second of the game off Paddack, who has also walked Alonso twice. #lgmpic.twitter.com/RAI3zitK5T
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) July 24, 2019
The same scenario presented itself in the seventh, this time with Logan Allen on the mound. With two outs and the bases empty, the lefty walked Alonso on four straight pitches. I guess the Padres didn’t already get the message because Cano made them pay again.
There are those legendary hands. Robby Cano blasts his third homer of the game, the first time in his career he's done it and first Met since Yoenis Cespedes. 5-0 Mets. #LGM pic.twitter.com/lVUyN78ZIu
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) July 24, 2019
Through seven innings, the 36-year-old was 4-4 with three home runs and five runs batted in.
The first three-home run game of his excellent career, Tuesday was also Cano’s 23rd career multi-home run game and his first since June 30, 2017 as a member of the Seattle Mariners.
He is the first Met to go deep three times in a game since Yoenis Cespedes against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 11, 2017. Tuesday was the 14th time in team history that this feat occurred.
There was also some history made as Cano became the oldest second baseman in major league history to record a three-home run game (36 years, 274 days).
Hopefully, we will look back on Tuesday as the night that ignited a strong second half for Cano.
