Mets' Mark Vientos Hits Three-Run Homer Despite Slumping Offensive, Defensive Struggles

Mark Vientos hit a three-run homer in the Mets' 9-4 loss to the White Sox, marking his sixth home run of the season, though he remains in a slump with just five hits in his last 28 at-bats and 11 strikeouts. Despite his struggles at the plate and in the field, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza continues to trust Vientos, emphasizing his hard work and confidence as keys to breaking out of his funk. Vientos' defensive performance has been particularly problematic, ranking among the league's worst third basemen with -7 outs above average and seven errors this season, prompting the Mets to rotate him and Brett Baty at third base based on matchups. The Mets, despite recent offensive and defensive inconsistencies and a tough loss breaking their win streak, remain optimistic about their position in the standings, tied for third-best in the NL and just two games back in the divisional race. Vientos acknowledges his slow start but is on a three-game hitting streak, and he remains upbeat about the team's prospects, noting that if these are their struggles, they are still in a competitive position. The Mets are set to face the Rockies next, hoping that improvements from Vientos and others will help them meet high expectations for the season.