On February 6, the New York Mets made a decisive move by designating right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, a decision that ultimately dropped him from the 40-man roster. However, as spring training progressed, Adams found a new home with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal. Since then, the 33-year-old pitcher has proven himself an invaluable asset in Oakland's bullpen.
Adams' performance with the Athletics has been commendable, as he has posted a 3.92 ERA and recorded an impressive 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. His solid showing has earned him a secure spot in the Athletics' pitching staff, contributing to the team's recent success.
A Defining Moment at Citi Field
Tuesday night at Citi Field marked a significant moment for Adams as the Athletics took on his former team, the New York Mets. Oakland emerged victorious with a 9-4 win, extending their winning streak to three games while the Mets' struggles continued, pushing their losing streak to four games and placing them two games behind the third wild-card spot.
Adams faced a high-pressure situation in the fifth inning, with runners on first and second and no outs. Demonstrating his poise and skill, Adams managed to escape the inning unscathed by striking out Francisco Alvarez. The moment was a testament to Adams' ability to perform under pressure, and his celebration added an extra layer of drama to the game.
A Controversial Celebration
After striking out Alvarez, Adams imitated the Mets' "OMG" celebration, which is inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG." The song was released in June, and Iglesias performed it at Citi Field after a win on June 28. The celebration had become a signature gesture for the Mets following home runs.
Adams explained his actions to the New York Post, saying, "Honestly, I looked up and was so surprised I got out of it. I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' And then it dawned on me, I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' So then I did it. I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully no one is offended. Just having fun."
Edwin Díaz, a key figure in the Mets' bullpen, didn't take kindly to Adams' gesture. "He crossed a line because that's something we do when we hit a homer or something. He can do it always, that's fine. But he can't get mad if we do something to him the next couple of days," Díaz commented, reflecting the tension the celebration sparked.
Driven by Emotion
For Adams, the moment was a culmination of personal motivation and emotion. "I pitch on emotion. I maybe need to do a better job of not doing that," Adams admitted. "But at the end of the day, big time situation in a game. Got some big outs, got the team a win. You know, when you get DFAed you're told you're not good enough to play for a team anymore. You know it sucks, so yeah had a little extra juice today."
Adams' journey from being designated for assignment to solidifying his place with the Athletics has been marked by resilience and determination. His ability to harness his emotions and channel them into his performance on the mound has been a key factor in his success this season.
The Athletics' victory over the Mets not only highlighted Adams' personal triumph but also underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the New York team. As the season progresses, the Mets will need to regroup and find ways to break their losing streak and climb back into playoff contention. Meanwhile, Adams and the Athletics will look to build on their momentum and continue their winning ways.