Mark Vientos crushes a two-run home run to left field, increasing the Mets' lead to 5-0 in the top of the 3rd inning

All it took was a trip to the Little League World Series, an offensive outburst against Seattle’s George Kirby and a solid start from Clay Holmes.

The decision to hold onto him was curious, and looks even worse in hindsight considering his usage or lack thereof. Vientos is out of the Mets' lineup for a fourth straight game on Thursday. He has not appeared in any of the previous three off the bench,

Twice this season, a Mets starter has completed eight innings in a game. The list is as follows: David Peterson and David Peterson. Five times this season, a Mets starter has at least pitched into the eighth: Peterson,

Montas entered Thursday with a 3-2 record and a 6.38 ERA over eight appearances, including seven starts. His lone relief appearance came last Saturday in Milwaukee when the Mets used an opener in front of Montas, who then surrendered three runs (one earned) in three innings.