Austin Adams Shines in Return Against the New York Mets
On a chilly Tuesday night at Citi Field, the Oakland Athletics triumphed over the New York Mets with a 9-4 victory, extending their winning streak to three games. Prominent in Oakland’s success was their recently acquired right-handed reliever, Austin Adams, who had a standout performance against his former team.
Back on February 6, the New York Mets had designated Adams for assignment, dropping him from their 40-man roster. It was a move that many relievers face in their careers, but a challenging one nonetheless. The Athletics saw an opportunity and brought Adams into their bullpen through a cash deal, a decision that has paid off as Adams has since proven his worth.
Now 33, Adams has solidified his role with the Athletics, sporting a respectable 3.92 ERA and recording an impressive 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. His expertise and experience have been beneficial to Oakland’s bullpen, providing stability and skill in crucial games.
The high-pressure situation on Tuesday arose in the fifth inning when Adams faced a daunting challenge: runners on first and second with no outs. With a calm demeanor, he skillfully navigated through the predicament, striking out Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez to end the inning.
Reflecting on his escape, Adams shared, "Honestly, I looked up and was so surprised I got out of it. I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' And then it dawned on me, I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' So then I did it. I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully no one is offended. Just having fun."
Adams punctuated his strikeout with a celebratory gesture reminiscent of the Mets’ "OMG" celebration, a nod to infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The celebration, typically performed by the Mets after hitting home runs, marked a moment of poetic justice for Adams. "I pitch on emotion. I maybe need to do a better job of not doing that," he admitted. "But at the end of the day, big time situation in a game. Got some big outs, got the team a win. You know, when you get DFAed you're told you're not good enough to play for a team anymore. You know it sucks, so yeah had a little extra juice today."
The Mets' players did not take kindly to Adams mimicking their celebration. Mets closer Edwin Díaz commented, "He crossed a line because that's something we do when we hit a homer or something. He (can) do it always, that's fine. But he can't get mad if we do something to him the next couple of days."
Despite the tension, Adams’s performance underlined his resilience and skill, highlighting the gamble Oakland took in bringing him aboard. His emotional display on the mound, combined with his effectiveness in crucial moments, reflects the fire and competitive spirit that can often make the difference between winning and losing.
The Athletics' victory in New York not only added to their streak but also deepened the Mets’ struggles, marking their fourth consecutive loss. This setback placed the Mets two games behind the third wild-card spot, a critical juncture as the postseason race heats up.
While the Athletics bolstered their confidence and solidified their bullpen with Adams, the Mets face questions of their own. The road ahead will tell if New York can overcome this slump and reassert their place in the playoff chase.
The night at Citi Field provided a captivating chapter in Adams’s career, one that echoed with both personal redemption and professional triumph. As he continues to deliver for the Athletics, his journey from being designated for assignment to becoming a key player underscores the relentless and unpredictable nature of baseball.