Soto Smashes First Mets Homer, Megill Shines as New York Tops Astros 3-1
HOUSTON (AP) — Juan Soto launched his first home run as a member of the New York Mets, propelling his new team to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.
With two outs in the third inning, Soto turned on a 1-2 pitch from Houston starter Hunter Brown and sent it soaring 390 feet over the right-field wall, giving the Mets a 3-0 lead. The long ball came a day after Soto struck out against Astros closer Josh Hader with two runners on in the ninth inning of New York’s season-opening 3-1 loss. Despite the strikeout, Soto made an impact in his Mets debut on Thursday with a single and two walks. The star slugger signed a record-setting $765 million, 15-year contract with New York in December, and his bat made an early statement in his second game.
Tylor Megill (1-0) delivered a solid performance for the Mets, allowing just one run on three hits over five-plus innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked one. Edwin Díaz came in to pitch a flawless ninth, striking out one to earn his first save of the season. The Mets have now won the last seven games started by Megill, dating back to August 30.
Brown (0-1) took the loss despite a strong outing, striking out seven batters over six innings while surrendering four hits and three walks.
Mark Vientos put New York on the board early, hitting an RBI double in the second inning before scoring on a single by Jesse Winker. Houston responded in the fourth inning when Yordan Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the Astros’ only run of the game.
The Astros had opportunities to rally but failed to capitalize, going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Their best chance came in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with one out, but reliever Reed Garrett struck out Alvarez before inducing a flyout from Yainer Diaz to escape the jam. In the eighth, Houston threatened again with a runner on first and one out, but Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuña made a diving stop on Alvarez’s sharp grounder, quickly popping up to throw him out at first and end the threat.
Houston will turn to Spencer Arrighetti for Saturday’s series finale, hoping the rookie can build on his impressive debut season, during which his 171 strikeouts ranked third-most by a rookie in franchise history. He will face off against Griffin Canning of the Mets.
