WASHINGTON — Carson Benge’s ascent has been one of the compelling reasons to watch the Mets for much of this season’s second half.
Friday night, the 23-year-old outfielder homered in the fifth inning of the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Nationals. The blast was his 20th and made him the first rookie in franchise history to join the 20-20 club — homers and stolen bases in a season.
Benge may not win NL Rookie of the Year honors, with Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart regarded as the clear frontrunner, but that doesn’t diminish a season in which he’s emerged as a significant piece in the team’s future.
Last week, he established a franchise rookie record for hits, eclipsing the mark Pete Alonso set in 2019.
Benge has 162 hits.
“Anything that can be in the history book and done for the first time is something special,” Benge said. “I hold that close to my heart.”
Last place is all theirs.
The Mets needed a sweep this weekend to avoid the final indignity of their season, a last-place finish in the National League East. But that possibility disappeared with Friday’s loss.
“If it matters to a Mets fan, it matters to me,” Green said before the game when asked about potentially avoiding last place. “But deep down, if I think about it, there’s playoffs and there’s not playoffs, and there’s nothing we’re going to do to get to that spot.
“As we watch other teams celebrate inclusion in playoffs, that should leave a bitter taste in all of our mouths to get back there, and that’s all I’m really concerned with.”
Ronny Mauricio is scheduled to start Saturday in what could be his farewell to the Mets.
Once a highly regarded prospect, the 25-year-old infielder has largely seen his major league opportunities dissipate because of injuries. He will be a non-tender candidate this winter in his first season of arbitration eligibility.
In 18 games for the Mets this season he owns a .454 OPS.
“He’s definitely missed a lot of time,” Green said, noting the ACL tear that cost Mauricio the 2024 season. “He’s come back. The athleticism returned. I don’t see any residual effect of that. So, from my vantage point, people come back from injuries all the time. Does it make life harder? Sure. It makes things tougher.
“Does he have every opportunity out in front of him to still turn in a good career? Sure. He does. I think the path forward for him is you know impact the baseball consistently, and if you can minimize the chase.”
Mauricio spent six weeks on the IL this season with a thumb fracture. Following his rehab he spent most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse.
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Saturday’s first pitch has been moved to 12:35 p.m. due to the threat of inclement weather.
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