Soto leads Mets past Astros 6-2 in Citi Field showdown

Soto’s return drives Mets' offense

Juan Soto’s presence on the basepaths provided the spark the New York Mets needed to secure a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Citi Field. The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the fifth inning when Soto singled to right field, driving in Franchy Cordero. Shortly after, Soto scored on a triple by Mark Vientos, extending the Mets' lead to 4-1.

The offensive surge continued as the Mets built a comfortable cushion that the Astros could not overcome.

Astros struggle against McLean

Nolan McLean dominated the Astros' lineup, pitching seven innings of scoreless ball. He allowed just two hits and struck out four batters while walking three. McLean’s performance was the anchor for the Mets' defense, limiting the Houston offense to only two runs. The Astros’ pitching staff, led by Cristian Javier, struggled to contain the Mets' power, giving up six runs on six hits.

Late-game adjustments

The Astros managed to score in the eighth inning when Yordan Alvarez homered to right center. However, the Mets responded immediately with a double by Alvarez that drove in two runs, sealing the victory. The Mets' bullpen, including Daniel Duarte and Kodai Senga, provided the necessary stability in the final frames.

Senga pitched one inning, allowing one hit and no earned runs, while Duarte recorded two strikeouts in one inning.

Final records

The Mets improved their record to 61-75, while the Astros fell to 68-68. The game featured exactly one home run, hit by Alvarez. Attendance at Citi Field was 29,183. The Mets' ability to capitalize on opportunities and their strong pitching performance were key factors in their win against the Astros.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816719