LOS ANGELES (AP) — The New York Mets’ Mark Vientos was well aware of the situation, knowing exactly why the Los Angeles Dodgers walked Francisco Lindor intentionally right in front of him to load the bases.
Vientos told himself to be insulted anyway.
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Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Andy Pages (44) watches as a ball goes over the wall for a grand slam home run by New York Mets' Mark Vientos during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos, left, celebrates after a grand slam home run with Tyrone Taylor against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos, right, celebrates after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos watches his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates in the dugout after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates as he rounds the bases after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Revenge came sweet, even if it was somewhat manufactured, when Vientos hit a second-inning grand slam that paved the way for the Mets’ 7-3 victory to even the National League Championship Series at a game each.
After Lindor hit a home run to lead off the game and end the Dodgers’ 33-inning scoreless streak, they elected to take their chances with someone else.
“I feel like it’s just the praise for Francisco,” Vientos said. “You’ve got Francisco ahead of me, and he hit a home run earlier in the game. So they would rather take a chance on me than him. But I use it as motivation. I’m like, all right, you want me up, I’m going to show you, whatever.”
On a 95.1-mph fastball from Dodgers right-hander Landon Knack, Vientos launched his grand slam to center field on the ninth pitch of the at-bat.
“I’m super proud that he stayed within himself and was able to execute,” Lindor said.
Vientos has been a quick study this season, coming up for good in May when Joey Wendle was designated for assignment and taking over the job at third base soon thereafter. His extended at-bat against Knack to power the Mets to an NLCS victory only looked as if he was a seasoned postseason veteran.
The reality is that Vientos is in his first postseason and played in just his ninth playoff game Monday. He now has 11 RBIs, one off the club record set by John Olerud in 1999 and Curtis Granderson in 2005. He also has six multihit postseason games, tied for the Mets’ high with Olerud (1999) and Todd Zeile (2000).
“Since he got here, he’s been doing some crazy things,” said Mets starter Sean Manaea, who gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits over five innings while earning the win in Game 2.
In 111 games during the regular season, Vientos broke through with 27 home runs and 71 RBIs. He batted .266 with an .838 OPS.
His amazing run of consistency started in June with seven home runs and 17 RBIs. He hit six home runs with 17 RBIs in July before going for six and 15 in August, with six and 14 in September.
He has, perhaps, saved his best for the postseason with three home runs over his last five games, including a two-homer game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the NL Division Series.
“I mean, I’ve been a sponge around all these guys, all these guys with experience, All-Stars,” Vientos said. “A lot of them are great players that I’m surrounded by, I’m very fortunate. I ask a lot of questions. ... I haven’t been in the postseason, and it’s just like, ‘Hey, how do I go about this?’”
Vientos is especially appreciative for guidance from veteran J.D. Martinez, who has 39 postseason games and 156 playoff plate appearances to his credit, not to mention a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.
“He kind of like brings the guys together and kind of tells us, just to keep our emotions even-keeled, especially if the opponent goes up and we’re down or vice versa,” Vientos said. “The team that keeps their emotions like that the best are the ones that come out on top. So I feel like that’s what I’ve been focused on.”
Now comes a return home for Games 3, 4 and 5 in the series. Vientos had 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 57 games at home in the regular season and 10 home runs with 27 RBIs in 54 road games.
“The power is real,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You didn’t see a big swing. It was, ‘Let me put it in play, let me stay in the big part of the ballpark.’ And he was able to drive that one.”
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Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Andy Pages (44) watches as a ball goes over the wall for a grand slam home run by New York Mets' Mark Vientos during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos, left, celebrates after a grand slam home run with Tyrone Taylor against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos, right, celebrates after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos watches his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates in the dugout after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates as he rounds the bases after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AMSTERDAM (AP) — A senior police officer warned Tuesday of calls for more rioting in Amsterdam, after dozens of people armed with sticks and firecrackers set a tram on fire Monday night and the city faces tensions following violence last week targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club.
Olivier Dutilh, of the Amsterdam police force, told a court hearing that “we have signals that there are calls for similar” unrest in the west of the city. Streets in the area were relatively calm as evening fell, and the security presence was low-profile.
The Amsterdam mayor, chief of police and top public prosecutor published a report Monday outlining what happened last week, including new details about actions by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax soccer match.
Local authorities had decided against banning the game, but beefed up security. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were banned by local authorities from gathering outside the stadium.
The day before the game, authorities reported incidents and saw social media posts threatening Maccabi fans. Around midnight, Israeli fans ripped a Palestinian flag off a downtown building and several of them took off their belts and attacked a cab, the document said. Cab drivers sought to mobilize online in response, and centered on a casino where some 400 Israeli fans were gathered. Police mobilized to avoid a major confrontation.
The morning of the game, authorities were “specifically worried about the Maccabi fans and the reaction of cab drivers,” the document said. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema pleaded with the Israeli ambassador for officials in Israel to make clear “that this is about a sporting event and should not be mixed with politics.”
In the afternoon, social media posts hardened and antisemitic terms were used. After the 5-0 win of Ajax over Maccabi, parts of a large group of Maccabi supporters “are running around with sticks destroying things,” the document said. There were also “rioters, moving in small groups, by foot, scooter or car, quickly attacking Maccabi fans before disappearing,” the City Hall timeline said.
The police commander said that those incidents had “an antisemitic character — there is talk about a Jew hunt and people are asked about their nationality.” Rumors then surfaced about missing people and hostage-taking, which proved unfounded.
Police said the fire Monday was quickly extinguished and riot officers cleared the square. Images online showed people damaging property and setting off firecrackers. A police vehicle was later burned out in a nearby street and police said they suspect arson.
Police said it wasn't clear who started the unrest and whether it was related to what happened last week. Some rioters could be heard on video shared on social media using slurs against Jewish people.
Police said they detained three suspects and appealed for witnesses, including of the assault of a cyclist who was beaten up as he rode past the unrest.
Police noted the tense atmosphere in the city since five people were treated in the hospital and dozens detained Thursday following the soccer match. Youths on scooters and on foot went in search of Israeli fans, punching and kicking them and then fleeing to evade police, according to Amsterdam’s mayor.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof met Tuesday with members of Amsterdam's Jewish community to discuss antisemitism in the wake of the violence. Reports of antisemitic speech, vandalism and violence have been on the rise in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza.
A total of eight people are in custody in the investigation into last week's violence, between the ages of 16 and 37, from Amsterdam and nearby cities, according to police.
Police said they have identified over 170 witnesses and have taken forensics evidence from dozens. The prime minister said they were also examining videos posted to social media.
The mayor has banned all demonstrations in the city and declared several parts of Amsterdam risk zones where police can stop and check anyone. Dozens were detained on Sunday for taking part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed.
A small demonstration was ended by police Tuesday outside Amsterdam City Hall during a debate about the unrest, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported.
Casert reported from Brussels. Mike Corder and Molly Quell in The Hague contributed.
Police officers are seen patrolling the streets in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo/Bram Janssen)
Police officers are seen patrolling the streets in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo/Bram Janssen)
Police officers are patrolling a the Mercator square in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo/Bram Janssen)
In this image taken from video, a person looks at a damaged tram in Amsterdam, Monday Nov. 11, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo)
In this image taken from video, police officers patrol in riot gear on the streets of Amsterdam, Monday Nov. 11, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo
This image taken from video shows a damaged tram in Amsterdam, Monday Nov. 11, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo)
In this image taken from video, police vehicles and personnel patrol the streets of Amsterdam, Monday Nov. 11, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo)
This image taken from video shows a damaged tram in Amsterdam, Monday Nov. 11, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo)
In this image taken from video, police officers patrol in riot gear on the streets of Amsterdam, Monday Nov. 11, 2024, as the city is facing tensions following violence last week. (AP Photo)