Throughout the weekend, Mets Manager Terry Collins spoke with reverence of Angels outfielder Mike Trout, perhaps the most feared hitter in baseball right now.
When Trout went to the plate for the first time Sunday afternoon at Citi Field with two Angels in scoring position, Collins wanted no part of a single swing producing a two- or three-run inning.
He chose to intentionally walk Trout, and hope that starter Tommy Milone would have better odds of keeping runs off the scoreboard with the bases loaded and Jefry Marte at bat.
Collins’s plan was foiled, however, when Milone wasted an 0-2 count and walked Marte to force in a run.