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Nick Morabito made the most of his latest opportunity with the Mets
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- Nick Morabito made the most of his latest opportunity with the Mets
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Nick Morabito entered Wednesday night still searching for his first MLB hit, and by the end of the Mets 10-4 win over the Rays , he had put together easily the best game of his young career.
The 23-year-old recorded his first major league hit on a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning, made a diving catch in left field an inning later and added another hit in the ninth. For a player who had gone hitless in his first 12 MLB at-bats, it was one hell of a way to finally break through.
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Morabito delivered when the Mets needed it
Morabito didn't even start Wednesday's game, entering as a pinch runner for Mark Vientos in the sixth inning. His first opportunity at the plate came one inning later with two outs, the bases loaded and the Mets trying to protect a 6-4 lead after Tampa Bay had started to work its way back into the game.
May 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets left fielder Nick Morabito (8) prepares to swing at a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Morabito fell behind 0-2 before working the count even and eventually sending a 2-2 sinker from Manuel Rodríguez down the left-field line for a three-run double. His first MLB hit couldn't have come at a much better time, pushing the Mets ' lead back to five runs.
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He wasn't done there either. Morabito made a diving catch in left field to end the eighth inning before adding a single in the ninth, finishing the night 2-for-2 with three RBIs.
Interim manager Andy Green called it a special day Morabito won't forget, especially considering he was asked to make an impact off the bench after spending most of his minor league career playing every day. Morabito also admitted afterward that getting his first hit was something that had been weighing on him.
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The Mets are giving Morabito another chance
Morabito returned to the majors as part of the Mets' September roster expansion after going hitless during his first stint earlier this season. He hit .254/.355/.388 with 13 home runs and 42 stolen bases across 114 games with Triple-A Syracuse, and his combination of speed and defense gives him a pretty clear way to earn playing time over the final month.
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The Mets don't need Morabito to suddenly become one of the best hitters in the lineup. With Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing also getting opportunities in the outfield, September is about finding out which of these young players can make a case for a larger role going into 2027.
Morabito couldn't have done much more with his opportunity Wednesday night. One game obviously isn't going to determine his future, but after waiting months for another chance in the majors, recording his first hit, driving in three runs and making one of the defensive plays of the night is a pretty good way to make sure he gets another one.
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