Javier Báez sprinted from first base to home for the winning
run in the ninth inning of a 6-5 New York Mets win over the Miami Marlins on
Tuesday, hours after he and Francisco Lindor apologized to the ream’s fans for
their roles in a thumbs-down gesture.

Baez and Lindor took turns to apologise before the game. The
apology followed a stern statement from team president Sandy Alderson, who
disapproved of the gesture. The players said in a team meeting on Tuesday that
they would stop making it.

Baez got a rude welcome from the fans when he entered as a
pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. Many in the crowd stood and turned down
their thumbs while he batted, jeering him until he was hit by a 2-2 pitch on
the shin and walked to first.

But when he batted in the ninth inning, it was a different
tone. The crowd chanted his name as he stood on the plate with two on, two out, and the Mets trailing 5-3. Báez beat out an infield single, earning an ovation
after trimming the lead to 5-4.

He then won the game by dashing home on Michael Conforto’s
single to left field. He was mobbed at home plate by a group of teammates,
including Lindor. They shared a long hug moments later.

Before this game, the 28-year-old Báez has hit .210 with four home runs and a
.709 OPS in 17 games since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs in July. Mets
fans targeted their boos at him and others throughout August when the team has
gone 8-19 to fall out of playoff position after leading the NL East for nearly
three months.

Players began making the thumbs-down gesture toward their
dugout after base hits and other positive plays while at Dodger Stadium from
August 20-22.