Mets manager: Lindor 'needs to be' in MVP conversation

New York Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor powered his club to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday, hitting home runs from both sides of the plate.

Lindor belted a grand slam off Michael King in the fourth inning to break the game open before adding a solo shot in the seventh.

A vocal contingent of Mets fans in attendance at Petco Park serenaded Lindor with chants of "MVP" as he rounded the bases.

Following the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza agreed with the fans, saying that Lindor "needs to be in the (MVP) conversation," according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

Lindor entered play Saturday leading all National League position players with 6.4 fWAR. The 30-year-old owns an .831 OPS with 27 home runs, 89 runs scored, 78 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases across 130 games this season.