It must have been the hat.

Alex Torres enjoyed his best outing as a Met on Saturday night, coming in with the tying run on first base and striking out Christian Yelich to pick up his first career save in the Mets’ 5-4 victory.

He did so with his new cap that has protective padding like a halo around his head to protect himself against a possible line drive coming back through the box. Acquired by the Mets in spring training, Torres wore a similar one with the Padres last year — he was the only major leaguer to wear the first approved padded pitcher’s hat — but that was with the padding as part of the hat. This was like a headband that fits over the cap.

“I’m just waiting for Terry to give me the opportunity,” Torres said after his fourth appearance of the season. It feels OK. I felt a little weird first time using that kind of model. But I don’t think about that. I just got on the mound to get that out we needed and win the game.

“I liked more the one I used last year. I think if I use it [the new model] more and more games, I think I’m going to get a better feeling.”

Torres plans to continue to use this model, however. ESPN’s Outside the Lines reported the company isoBlox made changes to try to get more pitchers to use it.

Asked if it was distracting before the game, Torres said “No.” He quickly added:
“Maybe for the hitters.”

It certainly didn’t help Yelich with the game on the line.