Access the Mets beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free

WASHINGTON — Mark Vientos’ emergence for this final stretch would be more than a luxury for the Mets.

“He was an important player for us last year and he’s not having the season he anticipated or we anticipated,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday before the Mets’ 8-1 victory over the Nationals . “But we need him now.”

Vientos answered that call by blasting a home run in a second straight game. Vientos hit a two-run homer against Jake Irvin in the third inning that gave the Mets a 5-0 lead.

Vientos, who started as the DH, provided a jolt to the team on Sunday with his three-run homer in Williamsp

See Full Page