The Mets would take the rubber match of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners, dispatching Seattle, 7-3.

In the game mired by a 45 minute rain delay, New York’s bats would catapult themselves ahead in the middle innings for a lead that they, despite blowing late leads in six of their last eight losses, would not relinquish.

“It feels good,” discussed New York manager Carlos Mendoza after the win. “It’s a one day at a time mentality. No looking back now.”

Losers in eight of their last 10, the Mets were the more desperate of the two sides coming into Williamsport. With pressure on the game, it would be the New York side drawing first blood in the bottom of the second. The burst started with a pair of singles from Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil put two on against Seattle starter George Kirby.

Cal Raleigh of the Mariners rounds the bases on a home run in the 7th inning against the Mets during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Francisco Alvarez would come to the plate next and, with the Latin America Regional champions from Venezuela seated behind the Mets dugout, quickly introduced himself to his the team with a shot to left field that fell just beyond the diving glove of centerfielder Julio Rodriguez. Alvarez would settle for second completing a double that brought in Alonso for the opening run.

Brett Baty would double the advantage one batter later, slapping a single up the middle to score McNeil and concede Kirby’s second run. It was just the second time in his last four starts that Kirby allowed multiple runs in a game.

The rally would be completed by Mark Vientos, who would flyout deep to centerfield allowing Alvarez to score from third on the sacrifice.

Fielding complacency would allow Seattle to get on the board in the top of the fourth. Coming off a double play in his first at-bat, Julio Rodriguez would make it up with a roped double to lead the inning off.

A Eugenio Suarez groundout would advance the runner to Polanco who, with two outs, blooped to shallow center field. In what looked like a routine play, shortstop Francisco Lindor flubbed the attempted catch allowing a run to score.

Cal Raleigh of the Mariners connects on a home run in the 7th inning against the Mets during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Seattle would look to take further advantage in the frame, loading the bases soon after with a Dominic Calzone single and JP Crawford walk. But Mets starter Clay Holmes would win the early flashpoint, coming back from a three ball no strike count to force a Cole Young pop out and keep it 3-1 Mets.

Holmes would orchestra through the fifth inning before being relieved. The converted starter would go five innings allowing one run on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

It was a redempted outing for Holmes, who blew a save at Bowman Field last season as a New York Yankee.

New York would assure that score wouldn’t stay for long, putting pressure on Kirby in the bottom of the fifth with singles from Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez. With two outs, Mark Vientos would step to the plate and blow the game wide open with a three run shot to left field. Vientos’ eighth home run of the season made it 6-1 New York.

“I was trying to see a fastball up in the zone,” discussed Vientos on his approach against Kirby. “I was trying to see middle-middle and not complicate things. It was awesome. One kid told me ‘If you hit a home run you have to give me your bat.’ Unfortunately, I didn’t see him afterwards, but it was a cool moment.”

Francisco Lindor of the Mets celebrates a double against the Mariners in the 6th inning during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

With Seattle taking a risk to let Kirby labor through the outing, Seattle’s starter would allow another run off of back to back doubles from Cedric Mullins and Francisco Lindor before being spared another batter. Seattle’s stalwart starter would allow seven runs on 12 hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Kirby’s 12 allowed hits matched his career high, eclipsing his season high amount by nearly double.

“I thought the command tonight was not as sharp,” explained Seattle manager Dan Wilson. “They got three early on, and I thought he bounced back well… in the end the big blow was Vientos.”

Facing Mets reliever Reed Garrett, MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh would slam his 47th of the season in top of the seventh, taking Reed long on a 338-foot two-run blast off the left field camera well to make it 7-3.

“I’ll never get tired of watching him hit home runs,” described Coach Wilson. “I don’t get tired watching him hold the trident, I hope more guys get to hold the trident. Really good swings from Cal tonight.”

That would be Seattle’s last spark of the night, with the reliever tangent of Ryan Helsey and Ty Rogers closing out a much needed win for New York.

Mark Vientos of the Mets celebrates his home run to right field against the Mariners during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

New York were consistent across the plate in the win, with four different Mets having multiple hits in the win. But no performance will be remembered more than that of Mark Vientos, who would finish the night two for four with four runs batted in. It was Vientos’ second four RBI night of the season.

“It’s been a tough year for (Vientos),” admitted Coach Mendoza. “He’s had a lot of ups and downs, it hasn’t been easy for him. To have a game like that against a really good arm is very impressive. We are going to need that.”

The victory moved the Mets to 66-58 on the season, narrowing Philadelphia’s lead in the National League East down to five games. New York also increases their hold on the last wildcard spot to a game a half ahead of the Cincinnati Reds.

Seattle’s defeat drops them to 68-57 on the year, falling a game and a half back from the Houston Astros in the American League West. In addition, the Mariners now find themselves level with the Boston Red Sox for the top wild card spot in the American league whilst being just half a game away from the drop zone.

Mark Vientos of the Mets connects on a home run to right field against the Mariners during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Juan Soto of the Mets laughs with his team after he was walked by the Mariners during the 4th inning during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The team from the West Region enjoy themselves the 7th inning of the game between the Mets and Mariners during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Met’s Juan Soto come of throwing on a play in the third inning against the Mariners during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A member of the Japan Region team enjoys some ice cream during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mrs. Met gets the fanst to sing “Take me out to the ballgame” during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mark Vientos of the Mets connects on a single during the 4th inning against the Mariners during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mark Vientos of the NY Mets hits a ball to right field during the bottom of the 7th inning against the Mariners during the MLB Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport. Vientos was thrown out at first on the play. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette