Mark Vientos work behind the scenes pays off with two-homer day to snap his Mets slump

ANAHEIM, Calif.— Mark Vientos doubled to start a rally in the Mets loss Saturday.

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.A day later, he became a one-man rally for the team.“I think the work behind the scenes is for sure showing these past two days,” Vientos said after smashing a pair of two-run homers in the Mets’ 5-1 victory over the Angels on Sunday.

“I have been seeing the ball great all season.I think I have been just missing stuff, and I didn’t miss those two pitches today.”Vientos’ homer in the fourth following Carson Benge’s walk gave the Mets a 2-1 lead.In the eighth, Benge doubled in a run before Vientos again went deep.The outburst was welcomed by a slumping player and team.

Vientos entered the day with a .650 OPS and had not homered since April 18.He’s become a regular in the lineup due to the Mets’ mounting casualties.“We have seen that,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.

“We haven’t seen that in a while, but when [Vientos] gets hot, he can carry a team.That’s the power and the hitting that he’s capable of, and I am glad he came through for us today.”The start time of Monday’s game in Colorado has been moved up three hours to 5:40 p.m.

ET due to weather concerns.Mendoza indicated the plan is to utilize David Peterson in a relief role behind an opener Monday against the Rockies.Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The lefty Peterson returned from the bullpen to a starter’s role last Wednesday and struggled against the Nationals, allowing seven earned runs over 3 ²/₃ innings.

Peterson did not pitch during the Rockies’ three-game sweep of the Mets just over a week ago.Infielder Eric Wagaman was ...