Dominic Smith smashed a grand slam on a 3-0 count to help the Mets pile on the Blue Jays.
Either way, the Blue Jays were likely to give up a run when Dominic Smith set up to take a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded.
They could have done without the pitch resulting in a home run.
Not that it bothered Smith any. The fourth-year veteran got to enjoy the first grand slam of his career, boosting the Mets‘ lead to 9-1 in the fourth inning.
In doing so, he may have broken the same unwritten rule which landed Fernando Tatis Jr. in hot water earlier this year. In case you hadn’t heard, you’re not supposed to swing at a 3-0 pitch.
Rangers manager Chris Woodward criticized Tatis for swinging in that situation. Even Padres manager Jayce Tingler called it a “learning opportunity” for Tatis.
If Smith learned anything from the controversy, it was to just swing and ask for forgiveness later.
Dominic Smith’s grand slam blew open the Mets lead over the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays grabbed control of the game in the first inning with a run driven in by Vlad Guerrero Jr. It was all downhill from there.
Michael Conforto homered on Chase Anderson after the pitcher gave up two early hits in the third inning. Toronto made a switch to Anthony Kay, but that proved disastrous. He gave up a two-run double to Jeff McNeil before ending the inning with a strikeout.
The Mets retired the side hen returned to give Kay more nightmares. An error scored Wilson Ramos and loaded the bases as Smith came to the plate. His contribution has already been mentioned.
Another pitching change to Jacob Waguespack didn’t solve Toronto’s problems. He conceded five more runs before the fourth was done. As it happened, Smith’s strikeout kept the Mets from scoring more than 10 in the inning.
Smith now sits second among Mets in extra-base hits during the team’s first 45 games in a season. He trails only Mike Piazza in 2000.