It is possible Mark Vientos was trying to inspire a Mets lineup that certainly looked uninspired with Sandy Alcantara on the mound.

It is also possible Vientos felt Alcantara quick-pitched him and was annoyed.

It is less possible — but still possible — that Vientos believed the Marlins ace threw at him.

Whatever the motivations, Vientos did not want to fully explain after an altercation between the Mets infielder/DH and the hard-throwing Marlins right-hander emptied both benches and dugouts in Sunday’s seventh inning.

With Jeff McNeil on first base and no one out in a game the Mets were trailing 5-0, Alcantara threw a first-pitch, 90.4 mph changeup that clipped Vientos’ leg.

Vientos backed away from the batter’s box with several steps and then glanced at Alcantara, who appeared bothered that Vientos looked at him.

The two exchanged words, and plate umpire Austin Jones stepped between them, the job of holding back Alcantara falling to his Marlins teammates as both dugouts and bullpens emptied and players sprinted toward the mound.

Sandy Alcantara reacts during the Marlins-Mets game on Aug. 31, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Mark Vientos reacts during the Mets-Marlins game on Aug. 31, 2025. X / @SNY

No punches or shoves were seen, and order was restored quickly.

“Just a lot of emotions, a lot of emotions,” Vientos said after the 5-1 loss at Citi Field. “Trying to get a rally going, and honestly, I’m just going to keep it between us what was said.

“But like I said, a lot of emotions. Wanted to do whatever I can for the team to get on base, and things got heated.”

Benches cleared during the Mets-Marlins game on Aug. 31, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post

If Vientos’ desired result was firing up his offense, the tactic did not work: The Mets did manage their lone run in the frame on an RBI groundout from Cedric Mullins, but otherwise, they were shut down over seven innings from Alcantara — “He’s a Cy Young winner. He’s a great pitcher,” Vientos said — and the Miami bullpen.

Did Vientos believe the pitch had intent?

“Like I said, I’m just going to keep that between us,” Vientos said.

Carlos Mendoza did not.

“Obviously, he’s not trying to hit him there. It was a changeup,” the manager said. “I guess Sandy didn’t like the way Vientos reacted — nobody likes to get hit. And in the heat of the moment, Sandy didn’t like the reaction because he’s not trying to hit him, and Mark didn’t want to get hit.”

With a right thumb that requires surgery and a broken pinkie on his left hand, Francisco Alvarez caught nine innings with Triple-A Syracuse.

Alvarez had resumed his rehab assignment Saturday, when he served as DH, and has gone 1-for-9 with six strikeouts in his first two attempts at swinging through the discomfort.

The 23-year-old, who is demonstrating he can withstand plenty of pain, likely will get a day off Monday, according to Mendoza, who did not want to speculate on when he could be activated.

“It’s pretty remarkable what he’s doing,” Mendoza said.

Brandon Waddell, who was recalled in the morning, threw 4 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in relief of Kodai Senga.

The lefty is the first Met to record at least 4 ¹/₃ scoreless innings out of the bullpen in multiple outings in one season since Darren Oliver in 2006.

Waddell had replaced Chris Devenski, who was optioned after throwing three scoreless innings Saturday.

Juan Soto (1-for-4) reached base safely in his 10th straight game and stole a career-best 26th base.

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Reed Garrett, whose IL stint is backdated to Aug. 23, is “feeling good” and already has thrown a light bullpen session.

The righty, recovering from right elbow inflammation, likely will need a rehab assignment.