Moment never too big for clutch Cespedes

NEW YORK — Even as he centered himself in the dogpile at home plate, gum and sunflower seeds flying around him, Jose Reyes cautioned Yoenis Cespedes to dampen his celebration. This was a night worthy of a party, to be certain. But the Mets remained all too aware of both Cespedes’ nagging injuries and their dependence on him over the next month. It is impossible to consider one without the other.

Still, there are ways to celebrate in safety. So as Cespedes walked over to conduct a television interview, answering questions about his walk-off homer in the 10th inning of a 2-1 win over the Marlins, Reyes grabbed an empty chewing gum canister and thunked it on top of Cespedes’ head.

A baseball crown fit for a baseball king.

“Every time I see Cespedes at home plate, I feel like he’s going to hit a homer,” Reyes said. “That’s the way I feel in the dugout. I’m sure the other guys feel the same way.”

Yet forgive the Mets if — on this night at least — they had their doubts. By the time Monday’s game reached the 10th, things had grown somewhat stale between the Mets and the Marlins, one of four teams they trailed in the National League Wild Card race. Due to injuries up and down their lineup, the Mets were out of bench players. Their pitcher, Josh Smoker, was one of three left in their bullpen. Two quick outs to open the inning made a trip to the 11th seem …

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