“He’s hitting velo, he’s hitting fastballs, he’s pulling balls, he’s staying back on breaking balls,” Mendoza highlighted all the reasons why Baty’s breakout is legitimate. “Even his takes are different. It looks like he’s ready to hit, and then just shoving it down.

A once-prized prospect who had lost his luster, Baty is finally beginning to break out in the big leagues. The 25-year-old infielder continued a surprising resurgence Tuesday night with his fourth home run in five days, a tiebreaking shot in the seventh inning that sent New York to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The New York Mets were taken to the brink in both of their games against the Pittsburgh Pirates so far, but they won both. They beat the Pirates 2-1 on Tuesday after beating them 4-3 on Monday, and are now three games ahead atop the NL East.