How DJ Stewart has jumped at his opportunity and earned the respect of Mets fans

NEW YORK — DJ Stewart had Mets fans chanting his name for more reasons than one on Wednesday.

The raucous ovation came in a tie game in the top of the ninth inning with a Rangers runner on base. Marcus Semien ripped a line drive deep into the right-center field gap and Stewart sprinted back to make the catch, colliding with the wall at full force and keeping the go-ahead run from scoring.

Stewart single-handedly kept the Mets in the game and then helped them score a 6-5 win as he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 10th inning.

The 29-year-old had helped them build a 2-0 lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning and after the bullpen squandered that advantage, he ripped a game-tying two-run shot off Rangers closer Jose Leclerc in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Jul 18, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter DJ Stewart (29) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In a lost season that initially came with expectations of a playoff run, there have been few reasons for Mets fans to cheer as they sputtered to 13 games under .500. Stewart has grabbed an opportunity in the Mets’ outfield in the wake of trades of Tommy Pham and Mark Canha provided an exception to the Mets’ malaise.

On the highlight-reel catch, Stewart – not known for his defense – covered 90 feet in 5.5 seconds.

The former first-round pick out of Florida State, who only played three major-league games for the Orioles in 2022 and 192 games in four seasons prior to that, is enjoying the best stretch of his career in the waning moments of the Mets’ season.

Wednesday night’s two-home run performance gave Stewart eight long balls in the last 13 games. In 36 games since being added to the Mets’ roster on July 4, Stewart has posted a 1.008 OPS with nine home runs, 17 RBI and 12 runs.

Since the trade deadline, Stewart is slashing .290/.362/.645 with six home runs, 12 RBI and eight runs.

In his fourth career start, Denyi Reyes was finally in line for the win.

The 26-year-old righty, who had given up 10 combined runs in two starts against the Braves this season, only surrendered one run on a Corey Seager solo home run over the first five innings. He was pulled with one out in the top of the sixth and was later charged with a run after Sean Reid-Foley issued a bases-loaded walk.

Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino combined to give up three earned runs in the top of the eighth inning as the Rangers charged ahead 5-3.

In the series opener on Monday, the Mets carried a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning behind a quality start from Tylor Megill, which included a season-high eight strikeouts.

Raley was charged with a run after giving up a double and walk before the Rangers cashed in on an RBI fielder’s choice against Sam Coonrod. With the Mets leading 3-2, Nathaniel Lowe belted a go-ahead, two-out, two-run single off Trevor Gott.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: DJ Stewart becoming NY Mets bright spot in lost 2023 season