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Yoenis Cespedes unleashes monstrous bat flip after walk-off homer


Welcome to The Walk Off, the nightly MLB recap from Big League Stew. Here we’ll look at the top performers of the night, show you a must-see highlight and rundown the scoreboard. First, we start with a game you need to know about.

If the New York Mets are going to make a second half surge for the second straight season, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is going to have to carry them again. The outfielder proved he was once again up for the task during Monday’s 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins.

Cespedes was the clear star for the Mets all night, picking up three hits in three at-bats. He didn’t play the hero, however, until his final plate appearance.

Yoenis Cespedes hit his second career walk-off home and celebrated appropriately. (Getty Images/Rich Schultz)
Yoenis Cespedes hit his second career walk-off home and celebrated appropriately. (Getty Images/Rich Schultz)

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With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 10th, Cespedes stepped to the plate looking to end the game with one swing of the bat. On the third pitch of the at-bat, he did just that. Cespedes crushed a 92 mph fastball from Nick Wittgren to deep left field.

Cespedes knew it was gone off the bat, and decided to celebrate the moment in style. After taking a couple seconds to admire his work, Cespedes unleashed a casual, yet elegant, bat flip.

He then proceeded to take his victory lap around the bases, and was met at home plate by his teammates, who rained buckets of bubblegum on his head. Cespedes was eventually crowned with one of those buckets later during the celebration.

Oh, and to add to all the wackiness, Cespedes has been using “Circle of Life” from the Lion King soundtrack as his walkup music lately.

So … uh … yeah. Everything is coming up Cespedes. And for anyone who wants to complain about the bat flip, consider the situation. If you hit a walk-off home run to defeat a division rival during a tough wild card race, you would probably admire your shot as well.

With the win, the Mets are 2.5 games out of a wild card spot in the National League.

TOP PERFORMERS

Mookie Betts: The MVP race in the American League seems to get tighter every day. Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts was the latest candidate to show off his skills, mashing his 30th home run during Monday’s 9-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Betts wasted no time getting to work. In his first plate appearance of the night, Betts drove a 91 mph fastball to left field for the solo shot. He would add another RBI later on a double. Betts finished the contest 2-for-five, with two runs scored and two RBI. He’s hitting .322 on the season.

Tanner Roark: No Stephen Strasburg, no problem. Though the Washington Nationals’ ace is currently on the disabled list, the team got a boost Monday in the form of Tanner Roark. Roark delivered seven shutout innings during a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed just four hits and one walk during the contest. Roark struck out five. With the win, he lowered his ERA to a strong 2.87 on the year.

Mike Trout: Mookie Betts may have closed to gap in the AL MVP race, but Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout isn’t going to just let him have the award. Trout turned in another fine performance during Monday’s 9-2 win over the Reds. In his first at-bat of the night, Trout clobbered his 25th home run. He would also double and single during the game. Trout finished the contest 3-for-4, with two runs scored and two RBI. He’s hitting .316.

MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHT

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t had much to cheer about this season, but at least shortstop Zack Cozart gave fans something to enjoy during Monday’s 9-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

With the game already out of hand, Cozart made an excellent catch near the tarp during the bottom of the fifth inning. Angels catcher Jeff Bandy sent a 0-1 pitch over near the stands down the third base line. Cozart ranged all the way over to the ball, but had to contend with the tarp in order to make the play. As the ball came down, Cozart dove onto the tarp while snagging the ball in his mitt. It was a joyful moment in yet another Reds loss.

THE REST OF THE SCOREBOARD

Royals 8, Yankees 5: The Yankees attempted a rally in the eighth inning, notching four runs, but still came up short against the defending world champs.

Blue Jays 5, Orioles 4: Josh Donaldson homered again, giving him four over his last two games. Jose Bautista also got in on the act, belting his 16th long ball of the year.

Indians 1, Twins 0: Jason Kipnis played the hero, hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Cleveland the win.

Tigers 4, White Sox 3: Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s clutch two-run homer in the eighth inning put the Tigers ahead for good.

Cardinals 6, Brewers 5: A throwing error by Jonathan Villar allowed the go-ahead run to score for the Cardinals in the top of the ninth inning.

Rangers 6, Mariners 3: Adrian Beltre came up with a unique strategy for facing switch-pitcher Pat Venditte. Leonys Martin made an excellent catch during the loss.

Cubs 8, Pirates 7: The back-and-forth game featured multiple last chance comebacks by Chicago. They finally put the nail in the coffin in the bottom of the 13th, on a Miguel Montero walk-off single.

Astros 6, Athletics 0: Sean Manaea lasted just 3 1/3 innings after walking in two runs in the second. Jose Altuve added his 22nd home run.

Rockies 8, Dodgers 1: Jon Gray tossed six scoreless innings. Nick Hundley hit his eighth home run in the victory.