New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker jumpstarted his team’s offense on Tuesday night during Game 1 of their NL wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 31-year-old’s two-run triple in the top of the second inning put the Mets on the board, tying the contest at two, and New York eventually stole the opening game of the series on the road, 8-4.
What transpired immediately following Winker’s triple carried over into the postgame interviews, however, as he and Brewers shortstop Willy Adames were seen jawing at each other.
Winker gave an unusual excuse for the interaction and claimed that he wasn’t even barking at Adames.
“For the record, I was chewing gum,” the outfielder/designated hitter said, according to a report by Will Sammon of The Athletic . “Rounding first, I was watching (Pete Alonso) and (Mets third base coach Mike Sarbaugh) the whole time. Watching them. As soon as I saw Sarby’s windmill, I put my attention and focus on second, and was like, I am going to third. That’s all that happened.”