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04/28 21:20 CDT Soto and Bichette go deep as slumping Mets break out at the
plate in 8-0 win over Nationals
Soto and Bichette go deep as slumping Mets break out at the plate in 8-0 win
over Nationals
By JERRY BEACH
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) --- Juan Soto hit a two-run homer that capped a seven-run fourth
inning and the New York Mets breezed to an 8-0 victory over the Washington
Nationals on Tuesday night.
Bo Bichette also homered and drove in two runs, and Clay Holmes combined with
two relievers on a three-hitter as the banged-up Mets (10-19) won for only the
third time in 18 games --- perhaps taking a little heat off manager Carlos
Mendoza.
Before the game, Mendoza said Soto is dealing with left forearm tightness. An
MRI came back clean, but the left fielder has been the designated hitter in all
six games since he returned last Wednesday from a right calf strain.
The homer was Soto's second this season and first since the calf injury
sidelined him for 15 games. In the second season of a record $765 million
contract, the star slugger felt tightness while throwing prior to games Friday
and Sunday.
Bichette launched a leadoff homer against Zack Littell (0-4) and added a
sacrifice fly in the fourth, New York's biggest inning all year.
The Mets totaled four runs last weekend in a three-game sweep by Colorado at
Citi Field. They began the day last in the majors in runs and OPS.
New York caught a break with one out in the fourth when Marcus Semien's
bases-loaded bouncer to third skipped under the glove of Jorbit Vivas for a
two-base error, allowing MJ Melendez and Mark Vientos to score.
Carson Benge followed with a two-run single to make it 5-0.
Holmes (3-2) gave up three hits and struck out six in six innings, lowering his
ERA to 1.75. Tobias Myers pitched two innings and Craig Kimbrel fanned all
three batters in the ninth.
Littell permitted all eight runs, four earned, in 3 2/3 innings.
The Mets became the last team to play a division opponent. New York's first 28
games consisted of nine against the NL Central, 12 against the NL West and six
interleague contests.
Up next Nationals RHP Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.01 ERA) pitches Wednesday night against Mets LHP David Peterson (0-3, 5.06), who returns to the rotation after 10 days in the bullpen. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Up next Nationals RHP Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.01 ERA) pitches Wednesday night against Mets LHP David Peterson (0-3, 5.06), who returns to the rotation after 10 days in the bullpen. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
