NEW YORK -- Outfielder DJ Stewart had a night to remember Wednesday at Citi Field. He hit two monster home runs, drove in a career-high-tying four runs and made a great catch in the late innings. But it was getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded that helped the Mets edge the Rangers, 6-5, in 10 innings.

Rangers left-hander Aroldis Chapman is one of the best closers in baseball history, but he lost control in the 10th. With Jeff McNeil already on second, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy decided to walk Pete Alonso intentionally and have Chapman pitch to Francisco Alvarez. Bochy’s strategy didn’t pan out because Alvarez walked to load the bases.

Stewart followed, and his chances of getting a hit against a left-hander seemed slim, as he has gone 2-for-15 against southpaws this season. But the first pitch Chapman threw hit Stewart, scoring McNeil and ending the game. It was Stewart’s first career walk-off RBI and the fourth walk-off hit-by-pitch in team history.

Considering the day he had, Stewart said his best moment of the game was when he made a great catch in the ninth inning that prevented the Rangers from scoring the go-ahead run. 

With the score tied at 5 and the speedy Leody Tavares on first, Marcus Semien hit a ball to deep right-center field. It looked like the ball was going over Stewart’s head, but he made a nice backhanded catch and crashed into the wall before falling to the ground. Stewart said he was most proud of the catch because he is not known as a defensive specialist. 

“That poor wall. The wall lost,” manager Buck Showalter said.

The fans immediately began cheering and clapping for Stewart, who was moved by the gesture.

“It was awesome. It really was,” Stewart said. “It’s been a tough year for the team, but you enjoy those little moments. For me to start the season in Syracuse and then you come up [to the big leagues] and hear that, it’s really awesome.”

Stewart’s heroics started in the second inning when he and Daniel Vogelbach hit consecutive home runs to give New York a 2-0 lead.

Six innings later, the Mets were behind, 5-3, when Stewart hit a two-run homer off right-hander José Leclerc to tie the score at 5. In his last 13 games, Stewart has eight home runs.

Stewart credits Showalter for believing in him. The two worked together when they were with the Orioles in 2018. In fact, Stewart, 29, signed a Minor League contract with the Mets in February because of his familiarity with Showalter. Stewart didn’t join the Major League team until July.

“It’s Buck trusting me to do my job,” Stewart said. “I’m staying healthy, teammates are giving me confidence. I’m comfortable with what I’m doing. I really trust what I’m doing in the cage, and the guys around me give me confidence. So when you are confident going into the box in the Major Leagues, it makes it easier on you and you are not thinking about the small things with your swing. You are going out here and executing.”             

Showalter said Stewart keeps grinding and wants to prove people wrong.

“He has really jumped at the opportunity we’ve given him to leave a good taste [in everybody's mouth],” Showalter said. “He has been doing it for a while. DJ is one of those guys where if you tell him something that he needs to be better at, he is going to attack it. … He wants to be an all-around player. Tonight was a big night for him.”

Stewart is a free agent after the season and he is showcasing his talent to all 30 Major League teams. But his first choice is to stay with the Mets.

“Any time you sign a one-year deal, you are playing for a job next year,” Stewart said. “I’m just happy to be healthy. I love New York. I really enjoy being here. My family enjoys it. I hope I’m doing enough to stay here. I’m playing for everyone but I would like to be here.”