NEW YORK.– Dominican Juan Soto was once again the protagonist with the bat, hitting the 265th home run of his Major League career and guiding the New York Mets to a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, thus securing the series played at Citi Field.
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Soto continued his extraordinary season by hitting his 21st home run of the year and reaching base three times. Additionally, he scored a run during the decisive five-run rally in the fifth inning, which shifted the momentum of the game in favor of the New Yorkers.
The Dominican outfielder drew a walk in that fifth inning and subsequently crossed home plate as part of the offense that punished starter Michael Wacha. Two innings later, he made his presence felt again by hitting a home run over the outfield wall to extend the Mets’ lead.
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The New York offense also featured contributions from rookie Carson Benge, Venezuelan catcher Francisco Álvarez, Bo Bichette, Jared Young, and Tyrone Taylor, who opened the fifth inning with a home run to tie the game and later added another homer later in the game.
On the mound, left-hander Sean Manaea delivered his best outing of the season by working seven innings of three runs—two earned—allowing six hits, striking out six batters, and issuing just one walk. It was the first time he completed seven innings since September 2024.
Kansas City took the lead from the very first pitch of the game with a home run by Lane Thomas, while Bobby Witt Jr. added another homer in the fourth inning. However, the Mets’ offense responded forcefully to turn the score around.
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Fellow Dominican Huáscar Brazobán pitched an impeccable eighth inning for New York, in which he retired his three opponents and struck out two batters.
Soto finished the day batting 1-for-2, with two runs scored, one RBI, and two walks, solidifying another stellar performance in a campaign in which he remains among the top candidates for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
With the win, the Mets secured their first series victory since mid-June and improved their recent record by winning four of their last five games.
