CHICAGO — If there’s one thing Jesse Winker knows how to do, it’s create atmosphere.
Winker went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and hit back-to-back home runs off Pete Alonso in the first inning to help the Mets beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-3, on Saturday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Mets clinched the series with the victory, their second straight in the series and third in four attempts.
Winker, who was acquired before the trade deadline in late July to bolster the Mets’ outfield depth and bring some dynamism to the bench, did just that Saturday night in Chicago. Facing right-hander Davis Martin, a career minor leaguer who has flashed potential this month with a sub-3.00 ERA, the Mets opened the game with a two-out rally in the first inning.
Martin struck out Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo before singled to Mark Vientos. Alonso then hit a first-pitch home run, sending the ball into the right-field stands to give the Mets an early 2-0 lead.
Martin then threw a changeup to Winker, and the outfielder hit the ball into the right-field stands where the 7 Line Army, the Mets’ traveling supporters group, was standing. Fans chanted “Jesse” as he rounded the bases.
Once a reviled rival of Mets fans, Winker once trolled them by waving after making a game-ending sliding catch to secure the Cincinnati Reds’ victory at Citi Field. This time, Winker acknowledged the fans who now cheer him on when he waved as he ran into the outfield before the end of the first inning.
Winker made it 4-0 in the third inning when he scored Francisco Lindor with an RBI single. His single in the sixth inning advanced Alonso to second base, putting him in scoring position on Starling Marte’s single off right-hander Gus Varland.
Martin was credited with four earned runs on five hits, allowed one walk and struck out six in five innings (0-3).
Alonso hit 2 for 4 with his 30th home run of the season and left-hander Jose Quintana held his former team to two runs (one earned) in five innings.
Quintana, who pitched for the White Sox from 2012 until mid-2017, when he was traded to the Cubs, put the first four runners on base in the second inning and allowed a run to score. He then settled in, but a passed ball by Francisco Alvarez in the third inning ultimately drove in a run. In total, he allowed five hits, three walks and six strikeouts.
It wasn’t his best outing, but it was better than some of his recent ones. It was enough to give the Mets a chance to win, and the bullpen picked up the slack with Huascar Brazobán, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton filling the gap with right-hander Jose Butto.
Butto allowed one run, but let two go to convert his third save.
The Mets (72-64) may have played an opponent that has been out of the playoff race virtually since Opening Day, but with their own spot still on the line, they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas against anyone, even the White Sox (31-106).
It showed in the way the Mets played defense. Jeff McNeil ran to right field to back up a play when Marte struggled to track a ball in the lights. Brandon Nimmo dove for a catch in left field and Lindor made plays at shortstop.
With the Atlanta Braves’ loss, the Mets are now two games out of a wild card spot.
