In an exciting showdown at Citi Field, Mark Vientos stepped up as a temporary roster replacement for Starling Marte and propelled the New York Mets to a thrilling 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. Vientos' walk-off two-run homer in the 11th inning secured the victory for the Mets and marked his first home run of the season.

The game reached a tense moment with two outs in the 11th inning, as Harrison Bader had just tied the game for the Cardinals with an RBI single. It was then that Vientos showcased his power, connecting with a pitch from Matthew Liberatore and launching it over the right-center fence. With that decisive swing, the Mets avoided a three-game sweep by the Cardinals.

Before Vientos' heroics, Mets starter Jose Quintana had a stellar outing on the mound, becoming the first Mets starter this season to pitch into the seventh inning. He went even further, completing a magnificent eight innings on just 99 pitches. However, a run-scoring squeeze bunt by Michael Siani in the fifth inning prevented Quintana from exiting the game with a lead.

The Mets' lone run in regulation came courtesy of Francisco Lindor, who smashed a leadoff homer against Lance Lynn in the sixth inning, displaying his offensive prowess.

This victory has given the Mets a much-needed boost, as they continue to navigate the challenges of the season. Vientos' impressive performance as a temporary replacement for Marte has not only solidified his place in the lineup but also showcased the Mets' depth and resilience in overcoming important absences.

The Mets will look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next challenges, while Vientos will aim to provide further contributions during his time with the team.