Reliever's 1st hit 'coolest thing I've ever done'

May 19th, 2021

Mets right-hander might be a 14-year veteran, but the 34-year-old reliever couldn’t help but feel like a kid again after notching his first career Major League hit on Tuesday night in the Mets’ 4-3 win over the Braves at Truist Park.

After entering the game in relief of opener Miguel Castro in the second inning, Hunter slapped a single through the left side on the first pitch he saw from Tucker Davidson, sending the Mets bench into hysterics. He even came around to score later in the inning on Jonathan Villar’s two-run home run.

“I jumped on first like a Little Leaguer -- that’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done in the big leagues. I got a knock in The Show!” Hunter said, cackling.

Hunter wasn’t too shabby on the mound, either. He worked two scoreless innings in relief and struck out four of the seven batters he faced.