Mark Vientos’ Improved Plate Discipline Continues to Pay Off for Mets

WASHINGTON — Improving plate discipline was a major priority heading into last offseason for Mark Vientos.

Two weeks after his recall from Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets third baseman seems to have figured it out.

On Monday, he reached base four times to help his team earn an 8-7 victory over the Nationals.

Vientos went 2-for-3 with a homer and walked twice as part of the Mets’ 13-hit attack.

“It starts in the (batting) cage and we take it very seriously, even with flips,” said Vientos, who has a 1.070 OPS. “Flips, as simple as they are…sometimes we take them off and start swinging at whatever. The guy throws the ball at 20 mph, imagine the guy throwing it at around 90 during the game. I take it seriously as soon as I step into the cage and tell myself to go for the strikes.

Vientos’ blast in the top of the fourth against MacKenzie Gore gave him five homers for the season, including three against lefties.

“I honestly didn’t think I made it until I saw the exit velocity,” said Vientos, whose shot left the stick at 104.7 mph. “Then I said, ‘OK, I did pretty well.’ »

Francisco Alvarez will not accompany the Mets to London for their two games against the Phillies this weekend, but could be activated from the injured list during the next home game, according to Mendoza.

The catcher, returning from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, has appeared in three games for Double-A Binghamton since beginning his rehab assignment.

Luis Torrens, who arrived Friday in a trade with the Yankees, was behind the plate for a second straight game Monday.

The Mets also rely on veteran Tomas Nido, who has handled most of the catching duties in Alvarez’s absence.

Drew Smith was fully available to pitch, a day after Mendoza said the reliever was only an emergency option.

Mendoza was asked why Smith was activated from the injured list Sunday if he was only available on an emergency basis.

Mendoza said Smith’s limited availability was even better than what the Mets would have had from Josh Walker, who pitched the day before.

Walker was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse as a corresponding roster move.