​New York (AP) — Mark Vientos left the Mets’ matinee against the Kansas City Royals after being struck on the right hand by a Michael Wacha fastball in the second inning. Vientos, who was making a rare start at third base, was struck by a 92 mph pitch and spun toward foul territory behind the bag before dropping to his knees. Third base coach Tim Leiper sprinted over to check on him as the 26-year-old slowly jogged to first with interim manager Andy Green and a trainer at his side, the latter of whom examined his hand.
Vientos remained in the game briefly before he was taken out at the start of the third inning, with Brett Baty moving from second base to cover at third. Rookie A.J. Ewing then shifted from center field to second base, marking his first major league appearance at the position after playing 53 games at second in the minors. Tyrone Taylor came in to replace Ewing and delivered the game-tying homer in his first at-bat, sparking a five-run rally in the fifth inning.