Adams Shines in Athletics Win Over Mets, Brushes Controversy Aside
In a bold move on February 6, the New York Mets designated right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, dropping him from their 40-man roster. This decision, no doubt a challenging moment for the seasoned pitcher, redirected his path to the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal as spring training progressed. Since his acquisition, Adams has proven to be a valuable asset in Oakland's bullpen.
Adams, now 33, has established himself as a consistent performer with the Athletics, boasting a 3.92 ERA and recording 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. His performance contributes significantly to the team's success, particularly evident in a recent matchup against his former club.
On Tuesday night at Citi Field, the Athletics handed the struggling Mets a 9-4 defeat. This victory extended Oakland's winning streak to three games, adding salt to the wound for the Mets, who were experiencing a four-game losing streak. The loss also placed the Mets two games behind the third wild-card spot, deepening their playoff aspirations' uncertainty.
A Critical Moment on the Mound
Adams faced his former team in a high-pressure situation, with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning. Demonstrating composure and skill, he managed to escape the inning, striking out Francisco Alvarez to end it unscathed. This pivotal moment underscored Adams's resilience and ability to perform under stress.
Adams's success elicited an emotional response, leading to an on-field celebration that drew attention and stirred the pot between the two teams. Mimicking the Mets' "OMG" celebration, inspired by infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG," Adams's gesture came after striking out Alvarez. The song, released in June, had become a part of the Mets' post-home run ritual, particularly notable after a June 28 win at Citi Field where Iglesias performed it live.
Reactions to the Celebration
Adams's replication of the "OMG" celebration wasn't taken lightly by the Mets. Speaking to the New York Post, Adams reflected on the incident, confessing his surprise at escaping the tough inning. "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 shared further insights into his emotional approach to pitching, acknowledging the heightened intensity following his DFA by the Mets. "I pitch on emotion. I maybe need to do a better job of not doing that. 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."
However, not everyone saw Adams's celebration in a positive light. Mets' closer Edwin Díaz expressed his displeasure with Adams's act, noting a breach of unwritten rules in baseball decorum. "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," Díaz commented, signaling potential tensions in future matchups.
Looking Ahead
As Adams continues his tenure with the Athletics, his ability to transform a career setback into a series of impressive performances remains a compelling narrative. His emotional, yet effective approach on the mound has garnered attention, not just for his statistics, but for his palpable passion for the game.
The Athletics will look to build on their current momentum, hoping that Adams's contributions can help propel them toward further success as the season progresses. For the Mets, the challenge will be to regroup and address their current slump with two games out of the wild-card contention.