It has been a tough season for New York Mets' slugger Mark Vientos, to say the least. Despite hitting home runs in two consecutive games, Vientos' stat line on

As the Mets ventured around the Little League complex early Sunday ahead of the Little League Classic, Mark Vientos hesitated. Was he going to slide down the famous hill at Lamade Field? Vientos had always wanted to as a kid,

It’s no secret that Peterson, of all the Mets’ starters, has been the guy relied upon to pitch deep. This was the 16th time in 24 starts that Peterson has finished at least six innings; the rest of the rotation has done it 18 times in 101 tries. It’s the eighth time a Mets starter has finished seven or more innings; Peterson owns six of those.

All it took was a trip to the Little League World Series, an offensive outburst against Seattle’s George Kirby and a solid start from Clay Holmes.

The decision to hold onto him was curious, and looks even worse in hindsight considering his usage or lack thereof. Vientos is out of the Mets' lineup for a fourth straight game on Thursday. He has not appeared in any of the previous three off the bench,

Montas entered Thursday with a 3-2 record and a 6.38 ERA over eight appearances, including seven starts. His lone relief appearance came last Saturday in Milwaukee when the Mets used an opener in front of Montas, who then surrendered three runs (one earned) in three innings.