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Mets T.J. Rivera Singles For 1st MLB Career Hit

Los Mets-T.J. Rivera - Puerto Rico

Photo by David Conde/Legends on Deck

The New York Mets T.J. Rivera took the field for the first time as a major leaguer on Wednesday night in front of more than a dozen family and friends, who didn’t have far to travel from his hometown in the Bronx.

Rivera started the game at third base and batted sixth in the lineup. In his first at bat, he ran the count to 2-2, then on the sixth pitch, he grounded sharply off the pitcher as the ball careened to the third baseman, who then threw to first to get Rivera out.

In the fifth inning, the Bronx native once again ran the count to 2-2, as he fouled off five straight pitches in a 10-pitch at bat before flying out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

Rivera led off another inning, this time in the bottom of the eighth, and grounded out to third on the fifth pitch in the at bat for the first out in the inning.

But Rivera would save his best for when it counted the most, as he has done in his minor league career, he hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning with the game tied at 2-2 to give the Mets a chance to win the game. The clutch single was the first hit in his major league career. He was moved over to second on a ground out to first base and was stranded after Alejandro De Aza flied out to center field to end the inning and send the game into the 11th inning.

In the bottom of the 12th, with the Mets trailing 3-2, Rivera came on with two outs and flied out on a 1-1 count to end the game.

On the field, Rivera had a good night, making every play that came his way and showing his athleticism and range. All in all it was a good night for the Rivera family.

Quotes from T.J. Rivera’s debut as he spoke with the media before the game:

“Unbelievable right now,”… “It still feels unreal. I’m really just proud and happy for my family to be able to experience it with me.”

“You start to wonder if this year is the year, if you’ll get the call.” …. “But you try to put that behind you, and just try to grind away at the season.”

“After I got my first hit it kind of felt like, OK, a lot of weight comes off,” …. “But the whole game I really felt like I still had to smack myself. Like, I’m here. I’m actually here.”

 

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