PHOENIX — The Juan Soto that the Mets have eagerly anticipated has finally arrived, showcasing his talent in a significant game against the Diamondbacks. In a dominant performance on Wednesday, the Mets secured a 7-1 victory, largely thanks to Soto, who hit two home runs — marking his second multi-homer game in just a week. This resurgence comes after a less than stellar start to his Mets tenure, boosting confidence that he will continue to excel.
Soto’s first home run, a majestic shot to center off Merrill Kelly in the sixth inning, ignited the scoring after a quick-paced pitchers’ duel. He later added a second homer, a sharp line drive over the left-field wall off Jalen Beeks in the eighth, along with a sacrifice fly in the ninth to further extend the lead. As of May, Soto has already tallied six extra-base hits (including four homers) after beginning the month with eight in April, putting him on pace for an impressive 30 home runs and 72 RBIs this season.
Pitcher Kodai Senga also had a notable game, delivering six scoreless innings despite a rocky start where he walked five of his first ten batters. However, he settled down after the initial struggles, allowing only two hits overall, which reduced his ERA to an outstanding 1.16.
Defensive efforts bolstered Senga’s strong outing, with catcher Luis Torrens showcasing his skills by throwing out a runner trying to steal second and executing a crucial double play that stopped potential runs from crossing the plate.
This victory not only gave the Mets a series win over the Diamondbacks but also ensured a split in their season series, an essential factor to consider as teams vie for playoff positions. Last year, the teams found themselves in a similar battle, with Arizona ultimately missing the playoffs due to tiebreakers. By securing this win, the Mets improved their chances in any potential tie scenarios later in the season.
With both Soto and Senga in formidable form, the Mets have good reason to feel optimistic about their trajectory as they continue to push for playoff contention.