It was quite the memorable day for Triple-A Syracuse in an 8-0 victory over Lehigh Valley on Sunday afternoon.
Mets infielder Mark Vientos continued his rehab assignment with a three-home run game, providing more than enough run support for a Syracuse pitching staff that saw six pitchers combine for a no-hitter.
Vientos, on the IL since July 10 because of a fractured right hand, showcased the sort of effortless power that he has displayed, at times, in his big league career.
In his first at-bat, Vientos slammed a two-run home run over the right-field wall at Coca-Cola Park. He added another two-run shot, this one to left field, in the seventh inning. Then, batting in the ninth inning, Vientos tallied another opposite-field blast, securing the three-homer game.
He finished the day 4-for-5 with 5 RBIs.
Interim manager Andy Green was forthright with Vientos at the onset of his rehab assignment, noting that he would have to take advantage of his at-bats and prove that he deserved more. It sure seems like Vientos has taken that message to heart: He has five home runs in seven games on his rehab assignment, which began on Aug. 21 with Double-A Binghamton.
Meanwhile, on the mound, six Mets pitchers combined to face one over the minimum in the no-hit effort. The IronPigs had just two baserunners – both via walks – and one was erased on a double play.
Kevin Herget (five outs), Saul Garcia (four outs), Tobias Myers (nine outs), Chayce McDermott (three outs), Joe Jacques (three outs) and Zach Franklin (three outs) teamed up for the combo no-no.