Was Jesse Winker vs. Willy Adames a chewing match or just gum chewing?

MILWAUKEE – Attacking an opponent?

Call someone names?

No. At least not according to New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker.

In the Mets' clubhouse after they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 on Tuesday to win Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, Winker wanted reporters to know that any hint of apparent drama that occurred when shortstop Willy Adames was passed. actually a non-burger.

“For the record,” Winker said, “I chewed gum.”

Hmmm. OK. Well, it's safe seemed as if Winker had said something during the second inning when he rounded first base, walked to second and safely made it to third for a two-run triple. He deliberately turned his head as he approached the pocket where Adames was positioned.

“The first round, I was watching (Pete Alonso) and (Mets third base coach Mike Sarbaugh) the whole time,” Winker said. “I'm watching her. As soon as I saw Sarby's windmill, I turned my attention and concentration to the second one and thought I'd go to the third one. That's all that happened.

“If you think I can run and talk, you don’t know my athletic ability. That doesn't work.”

After the play, it appeared as if Winker and Adames were clapping at each other.

Jesse Winker and Willy Adames tweet at each other after Winker tied the game. 👀
pic.twitter.com/tpmYA5hFm9

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 1, 2024

“I don't know what was going through his mind, but he started saying something and I said something back,” Adames told reporters. “I think that’s the type of player he is. It is what it is.

“It was surprising that he said something. But I think that's part of his personality. For me it was a bit of a surprise. But we’re not backing down.”

Winker had already drawn the ire of Brewers fans. He gets booed at every plate appearance. Winker played for the Brewers last season and struggled through 197 plate appearances with an OPS of .567. Things are going much better for Winker with New York, which took him on on time. After Winker struggled with a lagging problem in recent days, coach Carlos Mendoza brought him into the lineup because of his history against Freddy Peralta (6-for-18, two home runs through Tuesday). JD Martinez later replaced Winker, but Winker said after the game that he felt good.

Mendoza's switch with Winker paid off – with some emotions to boot. Winker declined to discuss the conversations between him and Adames.

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Winker said. “I just want to concentrate on the game tomorrow.”

(Photo of Jesse Winker after an RBI triple on Tuesday: Aaron Gash / MLB Photos via Getty Images)