by NEW YORK (AP) The New York Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Wednesday night, their first victory over their NL East rivals in six games this season, thanks to two home runs from Juan Soto and some output from the bottom of the lineup.
As New York won for just the second time in 12 games, Ronny Mauricio, the number eight hitter, also went deep and finished with three hits. Marcell Ozuna was denied a two-run home run in the first inning by center fielder Jeff McNeil.
In a loss to Atlanta last week, Clay Holmes (8-4) gave up a career-high six free passes and then pitched about four walks in five innings. Drake Baldwin, a rookie, hit a single homer in the fourth inning against the converted reliever.
Holmes was followed by the Mets bullpen with three scoreless innings one night after blowing a 3-0 lead.Before Edwin D. Az retired Ozuna with two on for his 16th save in 17 chances, Jonathan Pintaro, making his major league debut, allowed Ronald Acu a Jr. to single him for two runs in the ninth.
Soto hit a home drive to right-center on the first pitch of the game from Didier Fuentes (0-2), who was making his second big league start, to launch a five-run fourth inning with the score knotted 1-all.
During the rally, Brett Baty and Brandon Nimmo both hit a single. Both Francisco Lindor and Starling Marte had sacrifice flies.
Fuentes pitched 3 1/3 innings and was charged with six runs and eight hits, eight days after turning 20.
Soto made another connection to make it 7-1 against Austin Cox at the beginning of the seventh. With 10 home runs in 23 games this month, it was Soto’s fourth multihomer game of the season and his 27th in his career.
Michael Harris II, the center fielder for the Braves, made a stunning leaping catch in the eighth to deny Lindor a two-run homer.
Key moment
Holmes ended the fifth inning with two on by retiring Austin Riley and Ozuna.
Key stats
For the most multihomer games by a player 26 or younger, Soto broke a tie with Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie Foxx. Matt Olson, the first baseman for Atlanta, increased his on-base streak to a career-long 26 games, which is the longest stretch in the major leagues.
Up next
In the series finale, Braves RHP Grant Holmes (3-6, 3.97 ERA) will start Thursday night against RHP Griffin Canning (7-3, 3.91).
