This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/mets as Mets' slugger gives candid response to inconsistent playing time. It has been a tough season for New York Mets ' slugger Mark Vientos, to say the least.

Vientos answered that call by blasting a home run in a second straight game. Vientos hit a two-run homer against Jake Irvin in the third inning that gave the Mets a 5-0 lead. Vientos, who started as the DH, provided a jolt to the team on Sunday with his three-run homer in Williamsport, Pa., that led a victory over the Mariners.

As the Mets ventured around the Little League complex early Sunday ahead of the Little League Classic, Mark Vientos hesitated. Was he going to slide down the famous hill at Lamade Field? Vientos had always wanted to as a kid,

Mark Vientos gives the Mets a 6-1 lead vs. the Mariners with a three-run blast.

All it took was a trip to the Little League World Series, an offensive outburst against Seattle’s George Kirby and a solid start from Clay Holmes.

The decision to hold onto him was curious, and looks even worse in hindsight considering his usage or lack thereof. Vientos is out of the Mets' lineup for a fourth straight game on Thursday. He has not appeared in any of the previous three off the bench,

Montas entered Thursday with a 3-2 record and a 6.38 ERA over eight appearances, including seven starts. His lone relief appearance came last Saturday in Milwaukee when the Mets used an opener in front of Montas, who then surrendered three runs (one earned) in three innings.