Travis d’Arnaud reaches Citi Field’s Big Apple with mammoth home run

The New York Mets rode the right arm of Matt Harvey to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs in NLCS Game 1. That’s the story that will grab the headline, and rightfully so. Harvey was stellar at every turn, limiting the Cubs to two runs over 7 2/3 innings.

However, the Mets were also aided by a few big swings at the plate. Most notably, Daniel Murphy stayed hot, hitting a first-inning home run that may have served as a good omen for New York, and a not so good omen for Chicago. And then there was the absolute bomb off the bat of catcher Travis d’Arnaud, which actually bounced off the Big Apple located in center field.

[NLCS Game 1: Matt Harvey propels Mets over Cubs with dominant start]

For those not familiar with the set up, the Mets have had a huge Big Apple that sits in various places beyond the outlfeid fence dating back to their days at Shea Stadium. At Citi Field, it sits below the batters eye in center field, and then rises and lights up whenever a Mets player hits a home run at home.

It’s a nice little attraction that ties in well with the city’s nickname. But it’s not a frequent landing spot for home runs.

“Because you’re not hardcore, unless you live hardcore.” http://t.co/YD5nfVqRB7 #OwnOctober pic.twitter.com/GSWW1RdXBP

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) October 18, 2015

The gimmick “Big Apple” isn’t an impossible distance from home plate, but it’s a decent poke nonetheless. That d’Arnaud was able to hit it so perfectly in Game 1 might be another good omen. We know with certainty that it was a big hit for New York in Game 1. The sixth-inning blast extended the Mets lead to 3-1, and ultimately served as the difference in the game.

It also moved d’Arnaud into some exclusive company.

Via ESPN Stats: Travis d’Arnaud: 2nd career postseason HR. Only other Mets catchers with multiple postseason HR are Gary Carter, Mike Piazza

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) October 18, 2015

His other home run came in the Mets 13-7 win in NLDS Game 4.

As for Chicago, Kyle Schwarber continued flexing his muscles as well, later hitting a 459-foot home run that temporarily silenced Citi Field. But it wasn’t enough to rattle the Mets or propel the Cubs to victory. They’ll try again on Sunday with ace Jake Arrieta taking on Noah Syndergaard.

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