The New York Mets have been in fine form this season, but have set a bizarre new record in the process as their batters can't stop being hit with the ball.
The Mets are flying, and currently lead the National League East with the play-offs not too far away. They last won the NL East division in 2015, but haven't won the world series since 1986 after they famously beat the Boston Red Sox in a thrilling seven-game series.
But even if they don't manage to accomplish anything this season it'll still be a memorable one, as they've broken a record that has stood since 1900. Their batsman have now been struck by the baseball a record 106 times, and there's still many games to go.
The Mets were thrashed 6-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, but the score line wasn't the subject of interest after the match. During the final inning, Luis Guillorme was struck with a baseball and it ended up being a record-breaking play.
Guillorme was the unfortunate recipient of the record-breaking hit as he became the victim of a ball to the body, but it was the 106th time that it's occurred for a member of the Mets squad this season. The previous record of 105 was set in 1900, which was the current modern record.
The overall record was set in 1889, with the Orioles suffering 160 total hits on their batsmen. The New York Giants won the series back then, so perhaps the city of New York are hoping for a similar omen in another physical year.
Many fans have been waiting for the record to be broken, as it seemed inevitable that the Mets would do it this year. But Mets outfielder Mark Canha is hoping that the attention will now finally be over, after admitting he was bored of the constant record talk.
"It’s like a broken record at this point," said Canha, who was hit twice in the game that set the new individual franchise record with 24 in total. "We just kind of roll our eyes when it happens now and move on. There’s nothing you can do except capitalise on it, make it hurt."
It was the eighth time the Mets have been hit by at least three pitches in a game this season, but outfielder Brandon Nimmo has taken a positive outlook when reflecting on why they're getting hit. "Teams are having to try and figure out ways to get us out. I guess that’s part of the way, they’re trying to pitch inside, so you’re going to get hit when that happens."
However, Nimmo sustained an injury against the Brewers, although this was not as a result of any given hit. The official diagnosis from the Mets’ camp is ‘left quad tightness', and they're hoping he will be back to full fitness quickly.
Mets boss Buck Showalter examined Nimmo during the game, which will come as a positive sign to supporters. But with the regular season on October 5, any injury at this stage is a worrying one.
