It is possible Mark Vientos was trying to inspire a Mets lineup that certainly looked uninspired with Sandy Alcantara on the mound. <\/p>\n
It is also possible Vientos felt Alcantara quick-pitched him and was annoyed. <\/p>\n
It is less possible \u2014 but still possible \u2014 that Vientos believed the Marlins ace threw at him.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s seventh inning.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 leg. <\/p>\n
Vientos backed away from the batter\u2019s box with several steps and then glanced at Alcantara, who appeared bothered that Vientos looked at him.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Sandy Alcantara reacts during the Marlins-Mets game on Aug. 31, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n
Mark Vientos reacts during the Mets-Marlins game on Aug. 31, 2025. X \/ @SNY<\/p>\n
No punches or shoves were seen, and order was restored quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a lot of emotions, a lot of emotions,\u201d Vientos said after the 5-1 loss at Citi Field<\/a>. \u201cTrying to get a rally going, and honestly, I\u2019m just going to keep it between us what was said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut like I said, a lot of emotions. Wanted to do whatever I can for the team to get on base, and things got heated.\u201d<\/p>\n Benches cleared during the Mets-Marlins game on Aug. 31, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n If Vientos\u2019 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 \u2014 \u201cHe\u2019s a Cy Young winner. He\u2019s a great pitcher,\u201d Vientos said \u2014 and the Miami bullpen.<\/p>\n Did Vientos believe the pitch had intent?<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said, I\u2019m just going to keep that between us,\u201d Vientos said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Carlos Mendoza did not.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, he\u2019s not trying to hit him there. It was a changeup,\u201d the manager said. \u201cI guess Sandy didn\u2019t like the way Vientos reacted \u2014 nobody likes to get hit. And in the heat of the moment, Sandy didn\u2019t like the reaction because he\u2019s not trying to hit him, and Mark didn\u2019t want to get hit.\u201d<\/p>\n With a right thumb that requires surgery and a broken pinkie on his left hand<\/a>, Francisco Alvarez caught nine innings with Triple-A Syracuse.<\/p>\n