Jesse Winker rewards Carlos Mendoza’s faith with big hit in Mets’ win

Carlos Mendoza thought about it.

He debated pinch hitting Tyrone Taylor for Jesse Winker in the eighth inning and letting a left-on-left matchup turn into a right-on-right one when the Blue Jays inevitably countered.

But Mendoza had observed that left-handed hitters Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo both produced strong at-bats against Brendon Little earlier in the frame.

He’d watched Winker rip a triple and a double earlier in the game, too.

So he stuck with Winker — who delivered for the Mets in key spots during their postseason run last year — and Winker responded with a triple that scored two runs to tie the game and give the Mets a chance to escape with a 3-2 walk-off win one frame later.

“Not an easy decision,” Mendoza said, before later adding, “I’m glad he came through.”