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The New York Mets are in high spirits after a dramatic walk-off home run by Jesse Winker secured them a win in Wednesday’s playoff game against the Baltimore Orioles, and they celebrated with a classic meme.
After Winker’s home run, the Mets posted the “We back up” meme from HBO’s TheWire on the video board at Citi Field with Idris Elba’s character Stringer Bell wearing a Mets cap:
With the 4-3 win on Wednesday, the Mets improved their record to 66-61 and are now only two games behind the Atlanta Braves in the battle for the last wild card spot in the National League.
For Winker, the moment was particularly emotional, as it was his first home run since coming to New York from the Washington Nationals just before the trade deadline last month. His reaction will surely be one of the most memorable moments for the Mets this year:
When Winker spoke to SNY’s Steve Gelbs after the game, he couldn’t contain his excitement:
SNY @SNYtv
“It was crazy. I was unconscious, 100%. I still can’t believe it. It’s unreal.”
Jesse Winker met @SteveGelbs after his walk-off home run! pic.twitter.com/Ep0yZiubsG
The Mets started the season on a demoralizing note, looking like they were headed for another disappointing year. On June 2, the team was 24-35, but things miraculously turned around after that. By early July, New York had improved its record back to .500, and things have been looking up ever since.
Winning two of three games against the Orioles is no easy task, as Baltimore (74-54) is battling for the best record in the American League along with the New York Yankees (73-53) and the Cleveland Guardians (73-52). The Mets have caught fire at the right time, as the race for the playoffs in the National League will likely remain tight until the very end.
New York will look to keep the momentum going when it begins a four-game series against the San Diego Padres (72-55) on Thursday.
