Of Roger Cedeno’s two hits yesterday, the first was hit softer than a baby’s bottom and the other traveled less than 10 yards. But both turned out to be big plays in the Mets’ 7-4 win over Florida, and huge steps toward Roger Cedeno’s Redemption.
Booed lustily by the 26,245 fans at Shea, Cedeno went 2-for-4 with a steal, run scored and two game-changing RBIs, a gratifying afternoon for a man Met fans wanted run out of Flushing.
“It felt great,” the affable Cedeno said. “We won and it felt good because I did something to help the team. It feels great to contribute.”
Fitting that on Easter, Cedeno would breathe life back into his season. Struggling at the plate and even worse in center, his four-year, $18 million deal has made him a target of fan malice.
After striking out in his first two at-bats, his average was down to .158. Not batting – or carrying – his weight, the fans have booed him every at-bat . . . until he gave them something to cheer.
“You’ve got to take it as a challenge. I don’t let anybody keep me negative. I’m always positive, no matter what. Bad things happen for good reasons. The stronger I am in here, the better it is,” Cedeno said, tapping his head.
“Everybody was booing me and wanted me out of here, and I got two RBI and helped the team. That’s why you should never be negative.”
With the Mets trailing 2-1 in the fifth with two on and two out, Cedeno flared a single just over shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez snared the ball and fired home, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez likely could’ve tagged Rey Sanchez out, but pitcher Josh Beckett cut the ball off and tried to make the play, losing the ball when his glove hit Sanchez’ head.
After Florida retook the lead, Cedeno was in the middle of a five-run seventh. Vance Wilson knotted it with a solo shot, and – with Tom Glavine on second and Sanchez on third – Cedeno came through with another serendipitous hit against Michael Tejera.
His one-out dribbler died right on the first base line, and Rodriguez could only snatch it up in disgust as Sanchez scored. Cedeno stole second and scored on Mo Vaughn’s two-RBI single in that five-run burst.
“I’m glad for Roger,” Vaughn said. “It’s been tough for Roger the past week. Everybody needs to stay with him and be positive. We’re going to need this guy to win. For him to do that was good for us and good for his psyche.”
