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The boost in average attendance at Citi Field over last season hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Mets front office.
Over their first 10 home games entering Monday, the Mets were averaging 36,705 fans, which ranked seventh in MLB.
Last season, the Mets finished 17th in home attendance, averaging 29,484.
“Our fans in general have been outstanding this year,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said before the Mets beat the Phillies 5-4 in front of an announced crowd of 35,430. “It’s been fun coming to the ballpark.”
Stearns said he receives previews of tickets sold ahead of a homestand and did “double takes” at some of the numbers that were presented to him, especially for April.
“Not only have the numbers been good on paper, but it has felt like that in the ballpark and it’s been exciting,” Stearns said. “Our players have talked about it. I think we all feel it when we’re here.”
Mark Vientos began the night on the bench — his second straight start missed — but Carlos Mendoza said he had the third baseman available in a pinch-hitting capacity.
Vientos, who departed early from Saturday’s game with groin discomfort, worked out pregame and said he was feeling better but did not play.
Stearns delivered high praise to Pete Alonso when asked about the first baseman’s torrid start.
Alonso, who returned to the Mets in January on a two-year contract worth $54 million following protracted negotiations, entered the day with an 1.171 OPS.
“What Pete is doing is as good a start as you can envision for any human,” Stearns said. “This is pretty impressive. He’s locked in. His zone control is incredible right now. He’s hitting everything hard. I’ve been enormously impressed.”
Paul Blackburn is scheduled to throw 50 pitches Wednesday for Double-A Binghamton in a minor league rehab start.
The right-hander, who is rehabbing from right knee inflammation, expects to build up to 65 pitches in an ensuing appearance before he’s considered for a return from the injured list.
