Mets’ Juan Soto Shines in 3-1 Victory Over Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In an impressive display of talent, Juan Soto continues to be the standout player for the New York Mets, even if he’s not heading to the All-Star game this year. On Saturday, he led the Mets to a solid 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, contributing significantly to his team’s performance.
Soto’s Home Run Sparks the Mets
Soto’s ongoing power surge has seen him hit two home runs in as many games. His latest was a remarkable 435-foot blast in the fourth inning, which set the tone for the Mets as they navigated through the remainder of the game. Soto’s powerful swing propelled him to an impressive .995 OPS for July, following his selection as the National League Player of the Month for June.
“It’s just about staying focused and making the most of each at-bat,” Soto remarked post-game.
Key Game Highlights
- Soto’s Home Run: His 23rd homer of the season came off a full-count slider from Royals pitcher Jonathan Bowlan. Soto capitalized on Francisco Lindor’s leadoff single and stolen base, pushing the Mets to a 2-0 lead.
- Scoring Summary: The Mets added an insurance run in the ninth inning via an RBI single from Jeff McNeil, making it 3-1.
Pitching Performance
On the mound, the Mets exhibited stellar pitching with a standout performance from Frankie Montas. Here are some quick stats on Montas:
- Innings Pitched: 5
- Strikeouts: 5
- Earned Runs: 1 (surrendered four hits)
- Game Strategy: Montas was pulled after 83 pitches, leaving the game with a lead before the bullpen sealed the deal.
Bullpen Contributions
- Reed Garrett and Chris Devenski: Both pitched effectively to maintain the lead.
- Edwin Diaz: Closed out the game, retiring six of the seven batters he faced and providing a much-needed stability in the final moments.
Key Moments in the Game
The Royals threatened in the sixth inning, cutting the Mets’ lead to 2-1 thanks to doubles from Jonathan India and Kyle Isbel. However, Garrett’s poise under pressure ensured no further damage was done.
- Inverted Call Boosts Mets: In the eighth inning, an overturned call in the eighth momentarily shifted momentum back to the Mets when Bobby Witt Jr. was ruled out after an attempted steal.
Looking Ahead
With one game left before the All-Star break, the Mets are eager to complete a three-game sweep against Kansas City. Sean Manaea will make his season debut in a piggyback appearance after Clay Holmes, further bolstering the Mets’ pitching rotation.
Juan Soto may be missing out on the All-Star festivities unless there’s a late injury replacement, but his performance underscores his value as an elite player in the league.
For continuous updates on player performances and game highlights, stay tuned to major sports news outlets like ESPN and MLB.com.
