NEW YORK - Brett Baty was caught in a gallop when baseball was nestled in a visiting bullpen at Citi Field.

Barty hit his home run with her fist, about 135 feet and the trot entering the base was about 135 feet.

It's only 10 days away from May, but it feels like one of the most touching home runs of Buddy's career. It was an explosion, and stimulated with determination and provided a much-needed spark for the Metropolitan offense.

And he didn't stop there.

Barty was inspiring Saturday night at Citi Field, offering a pair of home runs and driving on all five runs from the Mets against the Cubs. It turns out that's not enough, as the Mets dropped 6-5 results.

"I think it's just preparation," Barty said. "I've really challenged myself in the cage over the past few days, and I think it's a little bit translating on the field, like it doesn't necessarily make the game easier, but it's really hard in the cage, so I'm showing it in the best way in the game."

One of Buddy's best offensive performances in his career has brought the same hope throughout his career. This time, he faced the latest setback explosion.

Brett Baty's big night

At the bottom of the fourth inning against the Cubs on Saturday night, Mets' Barty faced 1-1 against Cubs right-hander Cade Horton. The rookie made his debut with fastballs and sinking sliders in the mid-90s.

On the next court, Barty saw the latter and exploded on the wall of right center field, making three home runs to keep the Mets within 4-3.

This is the first time Barty has been home run in a back-to-back game since July 18-19, 2023.

"I think it's just a breaking ball to the left center and right center," Barty said. "Stay in the middle of the field and stay in the right field early. It's a little late.

After the Cubs led 6-3 at the top of the eighth inning, Buddy had another chance to offer the elevator, not missed. On Mark Vientos' first base, Baty led 3-1 and sent a fastball in the outer hemisphere on the left wall to get the Mets 6-5.

"He didn't miss the fastball," Carlos Mendoza said. "I think when he's in trouble, he's fouling, taking them, and then obviously they're going to chase him, they're going to the secondary court. I think I think I'm breaking the ball in the strike zone, and he's hammering them too."

In three games since returning to Major League Baseball Club, Buddy has 13-1 with two home runs, six hits and three runs (.308).

Brett Baty's latest opportunity

It wasn't his own fault when Baty was sent to Triple-A Syracuse on April 24.

Atter's start is slow and Baty seems to be finding his foothold. In the last 11 games in April, Baty released the .818 OPS with one home run, two doubles, four runs and four RBIs, but when McNeil returned in late April, his fate was blocked back to Triple-A Syracuse. Luisangel Acuña, who has shortstop and midfield experience, has been with the Mets.

"It was a different feeling when we sent it to (Batty)," Mendoza said. "We're going to send you down, not because you can't play here. You showed us you're a major league player and that's exactly what we're wise.

"When you get sent down and he comes back and gets the chance, the mentality is completely different. He knows he belongs to the major leagues. He is a very good major league player. He has the skills, he has the tools, and we've seen it."

Barty is no stranger to relegation.

Last season, Buddy finally got three starters but had a hard time in the early game and was bypassed by Mark Vientos for a third base job and relegated back to Triple-A Syracuse.

Now Mendoza sees a player on the plate and his swing decisions better believe in his beliefs. His two-strike method is better and has a better rhythm in the batsman's box. Saturday's performance is the latest evidence.

“It’s huge,” Buddy said of his efforts after adversity, “but the bigger thing is that we’re playing really well as a team right now, and I just want to do my best.”